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37 Baby Elephants Now Headed for Zoos in China

37 Baby Elephants Now Headed for Zoos in China

 

Earlier this year in Zimbabwe, thirty-seven baby elephants were captured, stolen from their families,and brought to a holding facility in Hwange National Park. They have been sold to  zoos and safari parks in China, and are currently awaiting shipment. Two baby elephants have already died of starvation and neglect.

Despite worldwide efforts to stop previous live captures from African nations for Chinese and United States zoos, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Environment, Water and Climate, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, makes no apologies for the sale and capture of baby elephants, and has plans to sell off more of Zimbabwe’s wildlife to China “without hesitation.”

There was public speculation in September that the baby elephants had been captured for export to China, but the government’s national park and wildlife management authority denied it, saying the elephants were being trans-located within the region under a “wildlife drought mitigation strategy.” This has proven to be entirely false, as China continues to purchase Zimbabwe’s wild animals.

In Defense of Animals sent out a Press Release at the end of September, to help garner more media attention on this heartbreaking fate for elephants destined, yet again, for China’s growing zoo industry.

According to a recent article, the elephants in the capture facility near Hwange’s Main Camp are strictly off limits to both the public and researchers in the park, and there are rumours that some may be moved to a remote location in Chizarira National Park to further conceal the actions surrounding their imminent transportation.

Apparently this operation is being driven from the President’s office, which makes Zimbabwe’s citizens fear for their safety if they speak out against the authorities.  Livelihoods, and lives could be at stake.

“This is big money and a very vindictive group of people running this operation,” said one source.”

This is absolutely heartbreaking news for elephants, with likely more to come, as China has 200 juvenile elephants “on order” with Zimbabwe over the next five years.

 

 

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