West blocks Zim wildlife trade

Itai Mazire in Hwange

Western governments, using the media, have over the past fortnight been blocking multimillion deals in which Zimbabwe will sell elephant calves on the international market. This is despite the fact that Zimbabwe was granted selling rights by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), which is in charge in granting licences in trading African elephant ivory.

The country opted to exercise its right to sell the elephant calves as the population of the animals had exceeded the carrying capacity of national parks and conservancies.

According to statistics from the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, the country has nearly 80 000 elephants. During a media tour of Hwange National Park yesterday, acting director for conversation Mr Goefferys Matipano told The Sunday Mail that the country’s elephant herd was now a threat to the ecosystem.

“We have in our database 45 000 fully grown elephants and 30 000 calves and this total population is now impossible to maintain.

“A calf on the international market is worth at least US$30 000, and if we are able to trade our calves without impediments we will be able to bring money into the economy. The money will also benefit the communities living close to our game reserves and safaris.

“As Parks, on the other hand, we will be able to have a sound budget in keeping our animals. The embargo and recent media outcry by the international community has seen us being viewed as a violator of animal rights but as a wildlife authority we do not operate without observing international trade laws.”