Our friends
Formed in 1994 the Tikki Hywood Trust champions the cause of smaller lesser known endangered mammals. We do this through a captive breeding and release program, an abused wildlife rescue program and an orphan rescue, rehabilitation and release program. All animals in the program have been officially recognised as being endangered, vulnerable or rare within Zimbabwe. Drought, habitat loss and destruction, poaching and secondary poisoning have all contributed to the decline of these endangered animals. Breeding projects such as the Tikki Hywood Trust, are vital in restoring suitable environments and restocking these areas with viable breeding populations. In addition, the Trust runs a successful conservation education program called “Kusanganisa” which is instituted in schools neighbouring our release sites. Before we can ask children to save the earth, first we must teach them to love it. Through this program, the Tikki Hywood Trust will harness children’s innate sense of wonder, encourage them to explore the natural beauty of the earth, and allow them to connect with African wildlife and the environment that we all share. Of late due to the strained situation in Zimbabwe, the Trust will also provide sanctuary to any orphaned, injured or displaced wild animal where it is in our capacity to do so. We have realised that every life is precious and needs to be conserved.
AWARE (Animal and Wildlife Area Research and Rehabilitation)
The AWARE Trust came into being in 2004 when the trustees were looking for independent funding to perform an important disease surveillance project. Despite the fact that the results of this work would provide crucial information affecting the development of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GLTP), it took the better part of a year to procure international funding for the project.
With each subsequent rejection because of ‘Zimbabwe’ being a four lettered word, the trustees wished there was a local organisation backed up by donors that would be able to facilitate and fund-worthy projects such as this.
With this in mind, the Animal and Wildlife Area REsearch Trust was registered by a local lawyer, with $20 provided by Dr Keith Dutlow as its starting capital. As ideas evolved and the gaping need for specialist wildlife treatment of un-owned animals became obvious, the deed of the Trust was amended to include the word ‘rehabilitation’ in the AWARE acronym.
The Presidential Elephant Conservation Project
Sharon Pincott from ‘The Presidential Elephant Conservation Project’ has been living full-time in Zimbabwe since 2001, on land bordering Hwange National Park. Sharon continues to monitor, and fight for the preservation of this unique elephant herd. She is also now active in helping to encourage the tourists of the world to return and experience all that Zimbabwe has to offer. Watch out for her regular updates in Getaway magazine from November. You can also visit www.sharonpincott.com
