This petition is in support of closing down the Charara parties, following the enormous outcry from both the local and international communities about the death of the semi-habituated elephant Tusker as a direct result of the unacceptable behavior of some of the people who attended the 2007/2008 New Year's party at Charara, Kariba. The death of Tusker is not the first animal death to be caused by human/animal interactions. We, the undersigned, feel it is unacceptable to hold a party of this magnitude in a wildlife reserve. The party attracts in excess of 3000 young people every year and it is difficult, if not impossible to control such a large crowd, especially when drugs and alcohol are accessible. It has been clearly proven that there was nobody present in a supervisory capacity to ensure that no animals were directly harassed by humans or to provide the much needed medical assistance in the event of accidents and drug related problems. We fully understand and support the need for the National Anglers' Union to raise funds but we are requesting that another venue be found for the large parties catering for the younger people, one which will not involve the interaction of humans and animals and one where adequate supervision and medical support will be available. We hereby request an undertaking from the Chairman of the National Anglers' Union that any party will not take place again at Charara site and that the following rules will be adhered to and enforced forthwith. No loud music after 9pm No feeding of or interfering with wild animals No fireworks. Please remember that all views and suggestions, positive, negative and neutral are welcome and are not necessarily the views of the organization. If all the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to the man. All things are connected. Whatever befalls the Earth, befalls the sons of the Earth. Chief Seattle of the Suwamish Tribe, letter to the President Franklin Pierce