OPERATION NOAH

Operation Noah started in 1958 in which 6,000 animals were rescued. The first three men staring the rescue work were Rupert Fothergill, Frank Junor and Danie Bredenkamp. After the wall was plugged, nature began to struggle to come to grips with the new phenomenon, the waters of the Zambezie began to back up the small river beds so reversing its course. On that 1st day the river climbed six feet up the wall in 9 hours.

Other members of the team to join were Barry Ball, Len Harvey, Tommy Orford, "Tinkie" Haslam, Peter Joans, Stuart Claarson, Mike van Rooyen, Boyd Reese, Bert Milne and Peter Moore.

Launching of the Ark

Camp scene at one of the islands. Rupert Fothergill, Peter Jones and Tinkie Haslam

Some of the small green boats. The Buffalo, Warthog and Tess.

Mike van Rooyen looking for an island.

Rupert and Len Harvey releasing the Waterbuck from the net.

Rupert and Stuart Claarsen capturing a porcupine.

Frank Junor was the main person capturing the reptile family. Birds were also rescued from nests which were slowly being flooded by the rising waters.

Rupert Fothergill

A porcupine being saved from the water.

John Williamson a Vet

A little help to overcome the stress.

Frank Junor was gored by a buffalo on Sunday 8th March 1959 while trying to dart the animal.

A duiker was the first mammal to be caught and transported to safety. All animals were weighed and measurements taken. John Williamson from the Department of Veterinary Services was one of the first helping.

In four and a half years of Operation Noah 10 elephants were destroyed on islands so other game could be resuced. 23 elephants were guided from islands or were found swimming and guided to main land. Boyd Reese

Tommy Orford

Rupert Fothergill retired from the department in July 1972 and died 26th May 1975 at the age of 62.

What alot of great mean doing a great job.

Photos courtesy of my Mom, Kate Reese.

THE GATHERING FOR CHOOSING THE KING OF THE ANIMALS AND BIRDS

A very long time ago the animals wanted a king. They cast lots, and the lot fell on the elephant because of his size. The birds chose the ostrich on account of its size.

It is said that there was only one lake at which all the animals and birds drank. The elephant, the king of the animals, went down and drank first along and he made the water muddy; also he prevented the king of the birds the ostrich from drinking. All the birds complained bitterly because their king drank afterwards and because he drank muddy water. There arose a great war between the animals and the birds. When the fighting began the animals prevailed over the birds. The bat ran away; he was on who sat on the fence.

And so, after some days, the eagle asked that he might be the king of the birds and lead them all into the fight. The eagle was very brave, and the army of birds stood steadfast. The animals were beaten when the army of birds was led by the eagle. The bat asked to join up with the birds, but the birds drove him away because he did not help them when they were fighting. The bat then went and asked to join up with the animals, but they drove him away too. From that hour the bat resembled a rat with wings like a bird. He became ashamed to go about in the day-time. He went out when it was dark.
This story tells us that we ought not to be sitters on the fence.

A MATABELE FOLK-LORE

THE STORY OF THE ROCK-RABBIT

It is said that in the older time the Creator distributed tails to all the animals. He set aside certain days for handing them out. First of all he sent messengers into all parts who cried out, “Come all of you to the Creator and get your tails.” All the animals went one by one, but the rock-rabbit was lazy and did not go. He asked the other animals to bring him his tail, and he did this again and again as the animals passed him on their way to get their tails. At last the tails were all quite finished, and the animals thanked the Creator. Then the rock-rabbit saw that all the other animals were complete with tails, and he was jealous because he felt he had nothing on. So he, too, went to the Creator and asked for a tail, but the Creator told him that there was none left. From that day to this the rock-rabbit has had no tail, simply because he was lazy and asked other to do his job for him. He took to living in caves because he felt he was not properly dressed, and when the other animals hold a festive gathering he does not go because he has no apron to clothe himself with.

The moral of this tale is to do things for yourself, and a proverb has come into being which says,
“The rock-rabbit lacks a tail through asked favours of other people.”