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ZCTF Report - March 2013
Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force (ZCTF)
March 02, 2013

Update on 5 baby elephants released

Last month, we reported that 5 baby elephants that were destined for China were actually released into the Umfurudzi Safari area in Zimbabwe. Since then, we have been trying to get photos of the elephants in their boma in Umfurudzi but we couldn't find anyone who had witnessed the relocation. Eventually, I decided to go there myself to see the elephants.

When I arrived in Umfurudzi, I went straight to the boma but found it empty. There were no signs, such as droppings, that the elephants had been there at all. I saw a ranger standing nearby so I asked him where the elephants were. He replied that if I wanted to see them, I had to get permission from the Umfurudzi National Parks office. I drove to the office and the lady warden informed me that I could not see the elephants because I am "persona non grata". I told her that I am a conservationist and a member of the public and she had no right to stop me from seeing them. She was adamant that I could not see them and added that she would lose her job if she gave me permission. I asked her where the elephants were because I had not seen them in the boma and she replied that they were in the bush. She said that they call them every evening into the boma and then release them again in the morning. I found this very irregular because they are supposed to stay in the boma where they are taught what they can and cannot eat. I began to wonder if the elephants were there at all.

Despite my misgivings, I have been assured that the elephants are definitely there.

There is a video of the baby elephant which was taken from Zimbabwe and placed in a Chinese zoo.

We are trying desperately to prevent any more elephants from being exported to China. Please assist us by signing the following petition.

Alleged illegal export of elephants

It has been rumoured that Elephant Experience in Victoria Falls have been exporting elephants to Zambia across the Zambezi under cover of darkness. We have also heard that they have been smuggling lion cubs across the border in the boot of a car. They are apparently assisted by Chief Mukuni who has a lodge on the Zambian side called Mukuni Big 5 Lodge.

The Victoria Falls community has always had concerns about the location of Elephant Experience and due to this, in 2007, a meeting was held between Environment Africa, Environmental Management Agency, ZNSPCA, Victoria Falls Council and National Parks. Their concerns were about the degradation of the land occupied by Elephant Experience and lack of feeding and freedom for the elephants to express their natural behaviour. The conclusion of the meeting was that Elephant Experience had to find other, or more land but due to their contacts with the ruling party, nothing has ever been resolved.

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