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Yoliswa Dube Chronicle Reporter
BRITISH animal rights activists have launched an online petition to stop Zimbabwe from exporting baby elephants to China.
In November 2013, four elephant calves were exported to China to boost the Chinese elephant population. They were sent to Taiyuan Zoo in northern China and Xinjiang Safari Park in northwest China. Of the four, one has died.
The online petition, posted by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals United Kingdom, says: “I understand that the Zimbabwe authorities are considering further shipments of baby elephants to zoos in China in the coming months.
“We the undersigned, respectfully implore you to show compassion for these complex and intelligent animals and terminate any plans to export more wild baby elephants. Of the elephant infants already captured and sent to China, one has died and another is very sick and destined to live a life of misery in a wholly unsuitable environment, isolated from his family.”
The petition, targeting 50,000 signatures, had been signed by 36,038 people as of last night on the website www.avaaz.org community petitions – an online campaigning page.
The petitioners claim “photos and video footage we’ve seen are very distressing; this baby is physically sick and given his condition and environment, suffering psychological distress. Elephant experts and vets around the world have expressed concern that he is very underweight, his skin is covered in marks and sores and the swelling under his belly needs urgent attention. He is in need of immediate veterinary care, but so far the zoo (in China) has refused all offers of help.”
They add that “conditions in Taiyuan Zoo are wholly unacceptable for keeping elephants. Indeed even modern zoos following the most up-to-date standards are unable to provide for all the physical, psychological and social needs of these large, socially complex, intelligent animals.”
Last night, Environment, Water and Climate Minister Saviour Kasukuwere said the British activists had an anti-Chinese agenda. But he pledged to send officials to the zoos to verify the claims.
“Those are the views of individuals who are polluted by negativities about China. We can’t rule out the Chinese and say they can’t take care of the elephants because a few individuals hate them,” said Minister Kasukuwere.
“We’ve not made any shipments since that last one, neither do we plan on doing so anytime soon. As far as we’re concerned, one elephant has died but the others are doing well. We’ll continue to monitor the situation and send a team to China soon to evaluate further.
“This exportation has been good for the Chinese to expand their elephant reservoir. These elephants simply need to acclimatise themselves with the environment in China otherwise they should be fine.”
Nicky Campbell, a BBC Radio 5 Live presenter and animal rights campaigner, yesterday sent Minister Kasukuwere a flurry of messages on Twitter, imploring him to stop the exportation of baby elephants.
Campbell said he cared about the elephants and was interested in knowing how they were captured and why they were sold.
In response to the online petition, Minister Kasukuwere who uses the Twitter handle, @Hon_Kasukuwere, said: “Am not aware of any such plans. Why is there such animosity towards China?”
Also joining in the conversation were Will Travers (@willtravers) and Allison Sixsmith (@Devonareliano) who wanted more details about the capture, shipment, care and death of the baby elephants.
Said Sixsmith: “Tragic, let’s hope @Hon_Kasukuwere can use his authority and influence to put a stop to it . . . But however they are captured, this is no life for an elephant. This is torment for them!”
Online Reporter