Getaway magazine spearheads animal rescue plan

The magazine and its partners in the initiative have put together programme to supply the fuel needed to keep the park's water pumps operating.

"Two months ago I went in on a recce with Flame Lily and it was obvious there was a crisis," explained Don Pinnock, the magazine's deputy editor and the man spearheading the effort.

"There were way too many elephants for the available water supply and not enough food. Trees were chewed to stumps and animals were snuffling at the end of dry water pipes. The problem in Zimbabwe is lack of fuel and an elephant population of around 30 000 animals - way too many for the 14 600m2 park."

Mitsubishi and Caltex will provide a vehicle and diesel, and Flame Lily will deliver the fuel and maintain the pumps as an integral component of the 4x4 expeditions it regularly leads into the park from Botswana.

"We're moving as fast as we can on the water plan. We have to get into Hwange right now to save one of the biggest elephant herds in the world," said Pinnock.

Anyone who would like to get involved in the Save Hwange Campaign, doing the 4x4 water-point trip or donating to the trust set up to manage the project can call South Africa 0861 312 312.