He once poached the wild animals of Zimbabwe. Now he preaches against it
In Zimbabwe’s wildlife-rich but poverty stricken Chiredzi district, an ex-poacher recently released from prison now preaches the gospel of conservation
CHIREDZI, Zimbabwe (AP) — Tembanechako Mastick and a group of men scanned bushes near their village in southeast Zimbabwe, on the hunt for the den of hyenas that had recently attacked livestock. Scattered fragments of goat bones showed the way, and Mastick peeped cautiously into a deep hole in the earth.
“They are probably gone from here, but not far because they see plenty of food in this area,” Mastick said. Some of his companions suggested sealing the hole, while others argued for trying to burn out any animals inside.
In the past, Mastick, 47, might have been willing. He grew up hunting in his community's tradition, and though he grew crops and raised livestock in later years, turned to poaching when recurring droughts made farming less viable. But then he was caught late last year taking small game in the nearby Save Valley Conservancy, one of the largest private game reserves in Africa, and spent nearly three months in jail, where he said a program aimed at turning poachers into conservationists changed his outlook.
At the hyena den, Mastick warned the others against killing animals, whether for meat or revenge. It's a message he's been giving since he was freed, urging his fellow villagers to rely on crops and livestock instead for food and income.
