News / National
Zimbabwe to sell excess elephants
06 Jan 2015 at 14:27hrs | Views
Zimbabwe will be selling off excess elephants to interested countries as it moves to protect biodiversity and minimise human-wildlife conflicts.
The country has excess elephants estimated at around 30 000 and selling the animals to other countries would significantly help the country reduce the numbers to manageable levels.
National Parks and Wildlife Authority Director General, Mr Edison Chidziya said they are facing conservation challenges due to the excess elephants, adding that it is increasingly becoming difficult to monitor and supply the large herd with sufficient water during the dry season.
"We have to remain with a manageable herd and we are facing challenges that cannot allow that at the moment," said Mr Chadziya.
Environment, Water and Climate Parliamentary Portfolio Committee Chairperson, Anastacia Ndhlovu said selling the live elephants will enable the wildlife authority to raise enough funds to protect the jumbos and other wildlife.
"The funds will capacitate the authority," she said.
Environment, Water and Climate Permanent Secretary, Mr Prince Mupazviriho said government is geared up and will not stop at any criticism coming from purported animal lovers who have no understanding and appreciation of the obtaining situation in the country's national parks.
He added that the trade of live animals is no new phenomenon and the transactions will be done in consistency with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITEs), an international regulator for trade in ivory and other elephant products.
The country has excess elephants estimated at around 30 000 and selling the animals to other countries would significantly help the country reduce the numbers to manageable levels.
National Parks and Wildlife Authority Director General, Mr Edison Chidziya said they are facing conservation challenges due to the excess elephants, adding that it is increasingly becoming difficult to monitor and supply the large herd with sufficient water during the dry season.
"We have to remain with a manageable herd and we are facing challenges that cannot allow that at the moment," said Mr Chadziya.
Environment, Water and Climate Parliamentary Portfolio Committee Chairperson, Anastacia Ndhlovu said selling the live elephants will enable the wildlife authority to raise enough funds to protect the jumbos and other wildlife.
"The funds will capacitate the authority," she said.
Environment, Water and Climate Permanent Secretary, Mr Prince Mupazviriho said government is geared up and will not stop at any criticism coming from purported animal lovers who have no understanding and appreciation of the obtaining situation in the country's national parks.
He added that the trade of live animals is no new phenomenon and the transactions will be done in consistency with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITEs), an international regulator for trade in ivory and other elephant products.
Source - zbc
