From Vic Falls we also visited the Vic Falls Anti-Poaching Unit (VFAPU) in Vic Falls National Park. We were welcomed by the founder of this unit, Charles Brightman. He not only gave us a PP presentation about the work of this unit and led our safari through the park, but he even took us on a patrol of his anti-poaching unit. This unit had just recovered 22 (!) very well hidden snares. The day before, a buffalo had been cruelly killed by a snare. In all anti-poaching units we were told that most animals killed by snares die completely in vain, as the poachers do not collect them after death. They probably do not find the well-hidden snares themselves.
In 1999, Charles Brigthman founded this unit. Since its inception, it has removed over 22 000 wire snares from its area of operation and arrested over 750 hardened poachers.
The unit works closely with the Zimbabwe National Parks, Wildlife Authority and the Zimbabwe Republic Police. It is funded by animal rights activists, local stakeholders and supporters from around the world. VFAPU's existence is only possible through generous donations.
VFAPU is concerned with preventing poaching by apprehending poachers before they commit their crime or removing snares set out in time.
However, it is committed to educating the people in the neighbouring villages. They even tried to integrate former poachers. Unfortunately, this is only possible in Zimbabwe. However, the park borders the Zambezi on a wide front. On the other side of the river is Zambia. Poachers enter from there on a large scale. Here, the prophylaxis of poaching through education and support of the population is very limited.
