Baraza

Category: Uncategorized | Date: Dec 10 2008 | By: Maina

The troubles in Zimbabwe seem to be getting worse. In the recent weeks, the cholera outbreak has been spreading like bushfire and has already claimed 600 people. There is no food, water or money - or rather the money can’t buy anything.

Now human misery seems to have spread to wildlife: from the killing of wildlife in the the parks to starvation and dehydration of those poor destitute animals in orphanages. One such orphanage is the world famous Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage in the outskirts of the Zimbabwean city of Bulawayo. Chipangali is also one of the largest orphanages in the world with about 300 animals. These animals are brought here because they are either orphaned, abandoned, injured, born in captivity or brought up unsuccessfully as pets. They attract thousands of tourists every year but depends on donations to feed these wild refugees that include lions, leopards, baboons, snakes, owls, and crocodiles as well as other wildlife.

Nicky Wilson who runs the orphanage expressed concern the donations were drying up. She said they might be forced to close down if the situation does not improve soon. “We are facing serious problems,” Wilson told the Zimbabwe Standard. “Wild animals face starvation at the center due to food shortages” she adds.

This sanctuary for the destitute animals was founded in 1973 by Vivian and Paddy Wilson as not-for-profit organization and has been successful ever since.

It is a pity that it is on the verge of collapse in these trying times for humans and wildlife in Zimbabwe.

Here are 11 seconds of two of the destitutes.