Starvation Island is visible from Bumi Hills Safari Lodge

An animal rescue crisis similar to the one that triggered "Operation Noah" 50 years ago is looking on Lake Kariba's small islands.  Tour operators and conservationists are calling for assistance to feed island-marooned animals until the Lake's water levels subside.

Although the seasonal rains have now ended, the waters of the Upper Zambezi catchment are still tumbling over Victoria Falls and into Lake Kariba which, at 90% full and still spilling, is the highest it has been for decades.  While this provides beautiful new Kariba vistas and water-filled creeks for houseboaters, fishermen and leisure-seekers, it is a serious problem for wildlife.  With the water level now at the tree-line, all the shoreline grassland has disappeared.  Grazing animals on the mainland are at least able to move inshore to look for food, but those marooned on islands are now starving and the mainland is too far away for them to swim to safety.

A recent incident on the aptly-named Starvation Island (pictured here opposite Bumi Hills) illustrates this tragic scenario:

Richard Vickery from Bumi Hills Safari Lodge reports:  "Visitors recently had their lunch interrupted by a group of waterbuck swimming from Starvation Island to the Mainland.  By the time I spotted them, the two males were already lagging and they were only two-thirds across.  We rallied the troops into two boats and sped out to them.  Helpers in the boats managed to grab one male each by his horns and ferry it to shore safely.  My boat had to race back to the group to rescue a female which had cramped up and could no longer swim.  We got her to shore safely and she recovered enough to walk after about 20 minutes.  The three rescued waterbuck would not have made it without our intervention!  The swim across the gap is now 2.5 km.  If more animals attempt this crossing in their weakened state, most will perish!"

Bumi Hills Safari Lodge is appealing for help to provide hay bales and stockfeed to sustain the animals on Starvation Island for the next few months until the water level recedes and the grassy shoreline returns.  The first houseboat-load of hay will leave Marineland Harbour in Kariba on Sunday 6th June.  A further trip is planned for 18th June and more thereafter.

If you can help, please contact Bumi Hills through this link:  Bumi Hills Safari Lodge
or Glen Byrom, Harare  Tel:  +263 4 495020, 490960  Mobile: +264 712 601 613
For updates, see the Bumi Hills blogspot: www.bumihills.blogspot.com