Sponsor a Turgwe Hippo
Although hippos are not yet an endangered species, their numbers throughout Africa are steadily declining due to pressure from human encroachment on their habitat, siltation of rivers and hunting. Their need for permanent bodies of water makes them vulnerable, especially as many of Africa’s rivers are slowly drying up.
The Turgwe River hippos live in an area designated as a wildlife conservancy. Control and management of their habitat can thus be assured. The Turgwe River here in the southeastern Lowveld of Zimbabwe, once perennial – now flows only during the rainy season. The creation of deep, dry season pools, through building of weirs within the river course, safeguards the hippo’s existence. During the horrendous drought of 1991/92, we kept the Turgwe hippos, 13 in number, alive through artificial pan and water troughs, for the river eventually dried up completely. Since then 18 hippo calves have been born, all leading a natural life with their families, there are now 31 hippos back in the Turgwe River system. This river used to be home to over 80 hippos in years gone by. By fostering one of the hippos in the two study groups, you will help us to implement a number of projects, which will ensure the long-term well being and survival of the Turgwe hippos.
Since the Trust was formed, we have built a second pan, had two boreholes drilled and cased, bought all equipment to run the boreholes to the two pans, and are at present repairing an old weir that was broken in the 2000 floods. We need to build more weirs, possibly other back-up pans, to be ready for another drought. It is our wish to save hippos sentenced to be culled elsewhere in Zimbabwe for having become “nuisance animals” by raiding crop lands and posing a threat to humans, in built-up areas and farming lands. We will translocate the hippos to the safety of the Conservancy. Later we wish to start an educational programme to teach local school children the importance of hippos to the ecosystem. This on-going study of these hippos also needs support. In the long-term we hope to help hippos throughout Zimbabwe.
By fostering a hippo, your contribution will help us in our plans to safeguard their lives. All you have to do is:
Choose one of these hippos in the study group. In return we will send you:
-A fact sheet about hippos
-Two newsletters/updates during the year about your hippo
-An original handpainted tee-shirt with hippos on it(Available in sizes S/M/L/XL)
-A colour photo of your hippo
-A personalised fostering certificate
-A newsletter about the Turgwe Hippo TrustYour initial contribution will cost US $60 (UK £35, Euro 50) (This includes registered postage and packaging). We will invite you to renew your fostering one year after joining.
TURGWE HIPPOS AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION:
Tembia-The younger territorial bull
Blackface- Mature mother of Drifter,Robin,Cheeky,Three, Flood, and Brucie
Cheeky- Young mother of Rain, Storm, and Mvura.
Surprise- Young mother of Kubi and Climber
Abe- mature mother of Surprise,Odile and Tacha; mother of Tsakus, born June 2004
Mystery- Mother of Fen,Kuchek, Zen and Dizzy.
Odile- Young mother of Bobin and daughter of Abe.
Tacha- daughter of Abe (born 1.1.2000)
Kuchek- male, mother is Mystery (born 3.2001)
Hope- female, mother is Cheeky (born early February 2002)
Sabi- female, mother is Surprise (born early April 2002)
Bobin- born early January 2004, mother Odile, male
Tsakus- born 1st of June, 2004, mother Abe, female
Chubby- born 11th June, Mother Surprise
Five- born December 30, 2004, mother Blackface, male
Relief- born early 2005, mother Cheeky, female
Kiboko- born January 2007, mother Surprise, female
Dizzy- born March 2007, mother Mystery, female
Tandee- born May 2007, mother Tacha, male
If you wish to sponsor a Turgwe hippo, simply include the following info:
If fostering for a child, please let us know his or her age for tee-shirt size.
Important:Please include your phone number or e-mail address for courier purposes.Mail to:
Turgwe Hippo Trust
Hippo Haven
P.O. Box 322
Chiredzi
ZimbabweClick HERE for a printable form you can use.
PHOTOS
Robin dominant bull taken February 2007.
Tembia gaping and showing off age 14 years.
Blackface gaping at Rock pool September 2007.
Cheeky with her new son Marius taken October 07.
Surprise 2006.
Abe walking 2006.
Mystery taken February 2007.
Odile on left of photo age 11 years taken Sept 2007.
Tacha at Mokore Pool age seven and half years.
Kuchek age six and a half years he is looking at Tandee.
Hope at the Rock pool age Five and a half years.
Sabi walking into the river pool age four years.
Bobin age three years and eight months he is in front.
Tandee on left of Dizzy and Kuchek.
Tandee is four months old, Dizzy is six months.
Tsakus going into the Turgwe River age three years.
Chubby age 3 years and one month.
Five age two years and seven months.
Relief in the middle of the photo age 2 years and 8 months.
Kiboko in front age eight months Sept 2007.
Dizzy age six months.Above photos © Copyright Karen Paolillo
The Turgwe Hippo Trust thanks you in advance for supporting one of these hippos. Without your help these hippos would not have a good chance of further protection and conservation.
Trustees: Alex Van Leenhoff, Karen Paolillo, Sibilla Doppelfeld, Jean-Roger Paolillo.
Written material and photographs used on this page courtesy of
Karen Paolillo at the Turgwe Hippo Trust.