Harare — THE operations of the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority hang in the balance due to erratic fuel supplies and manpower shortage, an official said on Sunday.

Director General Dr Morris Mutsambiwa said the rate of poaching called for more resources.

"Poaching incidents especially of the rhino are on the increase," he said.

"Shortages of fuel have been making it difficult to carry out operations in most of the affected areas."

Dr Mutsambiwa said poaching had become rampant in the Southeast Lowveld.

"The poachers are locals who have knowledge of the terrain and animal hideouts which had made it difficult for us to apprehend them," he said.

The Parks fleet, he said, was no longer suitable for day to day operations.

"Some of our vehicles are no longer fit for our operations especially in the Eastern Highlands," he said.

Dr Mutsambiwa said foreigners were mostly involved in poaching activities in the past, but recent incidents revealed increased local participation.

He said the scourge had affected most National Parks in the country.

"Hwange National Park, the Chizarira area of the Zambezi Valley are some of the most affected," he said.

Dr Mutsambiwa said the rhino population in the Save Conservancy was under serious threat.