In a statement, the ZNSPCA said: “Following extensive negotiations between the ZNSPCA and the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority we are pleased to announce the release of five elephant calves that were held in bomas within the Hwange National Park.”
The ZNSPCA is Zimbabwe’s largest animal welfare organisation. The ZNSPCA said the elephant calves, which were being held at holding facilities located at Umtshibi within the Hwange National Park, were released on Friday (18 January) and transported to Umfurudzi National Park in Mashonaland Central Province.
“The ZNSPCA remains opposed to the capture of any wild animals for the purpose of being transferred to zoos and similar habitats, irrespective of location.
"We commend the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority for agreeing to this release and we expect that such actions will not be repeated,” reads part of the statement.
The ZNSPCA said permits allowing for the confinement of wild animals should be discouraged.
“This incident has lead us to question the credibility of CITES' assessment criteria in granting permits which condone such transactions. Such criteria would appear not to prioritise animal welfare.
“Furthermore, we challenge Chinese establishments that have previously acquired such animals to improve conditions across the board and to ensure that all animals under their care are treated humanely and in a dignified manner,” reads the statement.
However, the ZNSPCA expressed satisfaction with conditions under which the baby elephants were living at Hwange National Park.
The ZNSPCA said that the released animals are expected to go undergo rehabilitation and integration with other elephants at Umfurudzi National Park.
The over-population of elephants within the Hwange National Park, the ZNSPCA said, makes the animals vulnerable to exploitation by unscrupulous operators. “A special forum is urgently required to address this matter,” said the ZNSPCA.
Post published in: News