Once again, I must apologise for not better keeping this blog updated. Life is, as usual, hectic, and sadly Operation Noah has had to take a backseat to more pressing priorities in the past few weeks.
I have recently received a great number of comments which indicate the level of interest in the story of Operation Noah is far higher than I had anticipated! Some are from nature lovers and conservationists, some are ex- or current Zimbabweans, and others are from people who knew and worked with my grandfather. I never imagined just how many people I would be connected with, from all over the world, by starting this blog. Testament to the power of the Internet!
Many of you mention you knew the Fothergills (my mum's family) when they were in Zimbabwe (or Rhodesia as it was at the time). If you would like to get in touch with Martin (currently in New Zealand) or Hilary or Christine (both in Australia), please leave your email address or other contact details in the comments section and I'll pass on to them.
If anyone has memories of my grandfather or the rescue operation that they would like to share, I would be delighted to publish them here on the site. Again, just leave your email address for me in the comments section and I will be in touch.
A few people have also expressed an interest in obtaining a copy of the Operation Noah footage on DVD - this is certainly something we're working towards, and I will keep you posted on how we progress towards figuring out how to fund and distribute copies. We've also got a bit of a dream of producing a documentary in the works... it would be great to be able to go back to Kariba and see how the wildlife is faring today. Obviously how the situation in Zimbabwe pans out over the next few years will determine whether or not that is feasible.
Many thanks again to everyone for your interest and support!
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In the late 1950s, Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) became home to the world’s largest man-made dam - a hydroelectric power station built across the Zambezi River, about 400km from Victoria Falls. It would provide power for most of the country, but in the process form Lake Kariba and flood the Zambezi Valley – home to thousands of native animals. In a wildlife rescue operation lasting 5 years, over 6000 animals were rescued and relocated to the mainland.
27 comments:
Hello, Piggy.
I would certainly be happy to pay a fare price for a copy of Operation Noah. I saw it many years ago on tv and beleive my grandad was in the film. He certainly worked on the construction of the da from 1955-59. Regadrs
Chris
Hi Chris,
Thanks for your message - I'd be more than happy to send you a copy of Op Noah on DVD for the cost of a disc + postage,
Cheers
Piggy
Hallo Piggy
I would like to know if you could suggest where i could get a copy of the book and also the dvd of operation noah. I spent quite a lot of time around the edges of Kariba recently and would love to read more about it. My father in law has a copy of the book but would not part with it for any money.
Andre
Dear Piggy
We are a television production company in South Africa. A collegue is doing a production about the Great Lakes of Africa and we are editing the episodes about Kariba at the moment. The story would simply not be complete without reference to your grandfather and Operation Noah. We would like to interview either you or your mother if possible. Could you please contact me or Elsabe? hannelie@warrensworld.co.za
Regards
Hannelie
In the University of Queensland library there is a book called Animal Dunkirk by Eric Robins. It is all about Operation Noah.
This book is also available from Amazon.com
Eric
Hi Kirsten - please contact me by email - mikebromwich1@gmail.com - Rupert was my first warden when I joined National Parks in '66.
I am putting together a book on National Parks covering the period 1963 through to 1985
I have been in touch with your Mum re Rupert's citation, no one knows where it might be. You Mum sent me over copies of the press cuttings.
I have one old film Penduka Nzhou (Go home elephant) which I need to get digitilised - do you know of anyone in South Africa who will be able to do a good job and touch up where necessary.
Hi Kirsten,
Please contact me on bonani@intekom.co.za. I am doing genealogical research on the Fothergill family (I have a very tenous family link) and would like to obtain soome detail from you if possible. Regards, Chris
In 1960 my parents took us on a three week boat trip on the still rising lake. It was a trip I will never forget and one of the highlights was watching (and filming - silent 8mm) Rupert and his men chase (and be chased by) some warthog they were trying to capture. My family in South Africa still have that footage and could probably make a copy for you if you wish.
George de Neef
In 1960 my parents took us on a three week boat trip on the still rising lake. It was a trip I will never forget and one of the highlights was watching (and filming - silent 8mm) Rupert and his men chase (and be chased by) some warthog they were trying to capture. My family in South Africa still have that footage and could probably make a copy for you if you wish.
George de Neef Marcontech@cox.net
Hello Piggy,
I would really like to make contact with you as I was one of Ruperts team for 3 years, and can possibly relate some our experiances. Remembering, of course 50 years have since passed, and some memories fade.Regards Peter.
My E-mail address:-
ptrbjon@gmail.com
hi there piggy, how are you doing? I would like to know how I can get a copy of the Operation Noah as my grandfather helped build the dam wall in the fifties, his name was Cedric Fletcher . We always went to Kariba on our fishing trips and have always heards stories of the operation noah and would really like to give this to my father on DVD as he has the book on it already. please may you advise me on how i can get a copy of this and what price.
Hello to all and thank you so much for your lovely comments and memories about Operation Noah!
I am trying to follow up with all who left email addresses.
For those who didn't, and would like to correspond, please find me at the following email address (please remove spaces between letters - I am trying to avoid spambots):
k i r s t e n k d r y s d a l e @ g m a i l . c o m
One day - one day soon, I hope - I will finally get around to making something out of all this great story of early conservation work. I work in the media in Australia, so have the contacts and some of the expertise - all that's missing is the time and money to dedicate to it.
Kind Regards,
Kirsten (Rupert Fothergill's granddaughter)
Hello, In 1976 my then husband and I were visiting Zimbabwe from our temporary home in RSA. By chance we came across a couple living on a pontoon boat on the shore of Kariba ( I think). they invited us onboard where they had huge photo albums full of photos of what I now know as Operation Noah. I wish I had taken more notice of their names - I imagine it could have been your parents/grandparents? I may even have photos but if so, they will be in the UK - I'm currently in France. In any event, meeting them was an unforgetable experience and a great privilage. They were incredibly generous to have taken the time to speak to us.I would really be interested in the DVD when it is available. Lesley
hi
My name is Barbara Barnet Bischoff
my late father Keith Barnet was working in Kariba in !957.
I really would love to get hold of a copy of the DVD Operation Noah.
my email address is sox_99@hotmail.com
My kate Uncle Bud Flanagan used to own the Lake View Motel in the mid 60's to the mid 70's
Looking forward to hearing from yo
Hello,
I just googled Operation Noah and found your blog after seeing footage of it in a BBC programme called Rock and Roll Years from the 80s. Each episode runs through the major events and interesting news footage of a year, and Operation Noah features in the 1959 episode.
Thought you might like to know that it made the cut!
Laura
Hi,
My uncle Dr Tony Harthoorn was Mr Fothergill's right-hand-man on this operation, and was instrumental in the relocation of thousands of wildlife. I would appreciate having details of where or from whom the DVD can be purchased.
Andrew Anderson
Email: andrew.shirley@clear.net.nz
Hello Piggy, We'd like to publish a Blog Post about this incredible operation. One of our experts (Melissa Shales) has written a great Blog Post about and now I am looking for some nice pictures to accompany the post. I found some on Google+ from Kirsten and would like to ask permission to use a few of those. Could you please let us know at contact@safaribookings.com? I can then send you a copy of the Blog Post. Thanks very much for your reply. Best Jeroen
Hello Piggy,
My name's Heidi Toluzzi my grandfather Henry (Hank)Toluzzi also took a lot of the footage and was involved in saving the animals.
I would love a copy of the dvd, I live in sydney australia and would be happy to pay for postage as well. contact me at heidirose1996@hotmail.com or annieheidi@aapt.net.au
Thanks! x
saving some funds to film, a documentary about the operation noah heroes. it pains me to see the way the animals are being poached in matusadonha n zimbabwe as a whole. though ther are some anti poaching teams who are doing working day n night protecting the wild life. THE STORY NEEDS TO BE SHOWN TO THE WORLD
ZAMBEZI PICTURES I am in full agreement with you re a documentary. Being the last survivor of the Operation Noah team you have my full support and any assistance I can give you. Please feel free to contact me direct at ptrbjon@gmail.com
Seems a while since there was much activity here so I hope this reaches you. My father, Professor John Lock travelled to Kariba at Rupert Fothergill's request from Uganda to assist with the relocation of rhinoceroses. 4 were successfuuly relocated. If you do receive this and would like further details please contact doc (dot) lock (at) fast-mail (dot) net
Regards Peter Lock
Hi there,
I am the grandaughter of Dr John Condy who was on duty with your grandfather Rupert.
I am just contacting you to see if there is any possible way to get copies of your dvds and also to see if you have any further footage of my grandfather?
I have only come accross this now and we are interested to get more details to keep for family keepsakes.
I look forward to hearing from you
Joanne Proctor
joanneproctor25@gmail.com
This is NOT an advertising blog for gambling vashtiwager. Please refrain from advertising casinos on this blog.
I was given this blog by a contact in South Africa, my dad Hendry(Hendrik Shulk van der Merwe) at the time a very young man helped and was part of Operation Noah, he is apparently mentioned in the book, and our family his children have been on the surch for this book for many many years, lash DVD, please may you get intouch with me kind regards Delene
Unfortunately he is with us no longer to ask questions.
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