via Export of elephants – The Zimbabwean 22 March 2015
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
I am writing to ask you to please help to raise awareness about the abduction of around 200 very young baby elephants in Zimbabwe and find help to stop them being exported to zoos in China. Around 80 have already been captured and are being help for export. These baby elephants were abducted in violation of CITES Article 1V which states under regulation of trade of species in appendix II:
1. All trade in species in appendix II shall be in accordance with provisions of this article.
2. The export of any species included in appendix II shall require prior grant and presentation of an export permit. An export permit shall only be granted when the following conditions have been met:
a) A scientific authority of the state of export advises that such export will not be detrimental to the survival of that species.
b) A management authority of the state of export is satisfied that any living species will be handled and shipped so as to minimize any risk of injury, damage to health or cruel treatment.
Clearly these regulations were broken when these very young baby elephants – still dependent on their mothers – were abducted from their families who were rounded up and fired at from helicopters – a terrible ordeal to be put through. Having been highly traumatised by this treatment they are now being help in enclosures awaiting export to zoos in China – breaking yet another CITES rule. They must be sent to suitable destinations only.
This is extremely cruel treatment by any standards. It did not minimise risk of injury or damage to health and sending them to zoos in China will condemn them to a life of misery if they survive the arduous journey.
Survival of elephant herds in Zimbabwe will also be put at risk if families are continually traumatised and babies sold to raise funds in this way.
As all CITES regulation have clearly been broken by the state authorities in Zimbabwe, the export permits should be rejected by CITES.
Please can you do anything in your power to stop the illegal export of these very young baby elephants whose ages are between 2 and 5 years old to a life of misery in China.
Thank you very much for your assistance.
Johnny Rodrigues
Chairman for Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force
Landline: 263 4 339065
Mobile: 263 712 603 213
Email: galorand@mweb.co.zw
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/ZCTF-Zimbabwe-Conservation-Task-Force/246013052094585
Website: www.zctfofficialsite.org.
The Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force relies soley on public donations. Your donation can help to preserve the wildlife in Zimbabwe. If you would like to assist, please contact us.
COMMENTS
The world is appalled by this. Does Zimbabwe care? Has anyone noticed how bad wildlife has got under the minister Saviour Kasukuwere? Just like the farm invasions. After Kasukuwere trails around Grace Mugarbage last year, now her husband suddenly starts talking about invading those whites who are dominating the tourism-wildlife sectors. Saviour Kasukuwere and his racism and his now worse than indiginisation plans. Watch the demise of the elephants then. Sinking further and further into the abyss, led by a band of monkeys.
Do not belittle the monkeys by comparing much lower life with them. “Band of parasites” is more apt.
I oppose you Exporting any Elephants