Zimbabwe flies 20 elephants to China

Zimbabwe has exported 20 elephants to private game parks in China as part of conservation efforts and amid rising poaching in southern Africa.

"The elephants arrived safely in China yesterday (Sunday) after being flown out of Harare International Airport on Saturday," Environment minister Saviour Kasukuwere said in an interview yesterday.  

All of them are alive, Zimbabwe, which last month flew five black rhinos to Botswana, has been seeking new homes for some of its animals amid rising poaching and as they encroach on human settlements.

The elephants, which can eat 136 kilogrammes of food each a day, have been blamed for destroying vegetation in Hwange National Park and damaging the crops and livelihoods of neighbouring communities.