Protesters try to halt export of baby elephants to China

ACTIVISTS in Zimbabwe have launched a last-minute bid to prevent the export of three dozen baby elephants to a Chinese safari park.

The protest came after a network of wildlife investigators said they had received information that a Chinese haulage crew had arrived in Zimbabwe to export the animals before the end of this week.

The young elephants, who are believed to have been forcibly separated from their parents in the wild, have been at the centre of a legal battle since footage of them being held in pens in the Hwange national park emerged in February.

The People and Earth Solidarity Law Network filed a lawsuit demanding the government release details of the export deal in May. On Friday it wrote to lawyers representing the Zimbabwe National Parks Authority, warning that they could be in contempt of court if the elephants are exported before the case has gone before a judge.

Campaigners say they believe 35 animals have been sold to China and two to Pakistan. They have accused the authorities of trying to keep the arrangement secret because it may have violated Zimbabwean and international animal welfare regulations.

Webster Jiti, the lawyer representing the NGO, said their legal action had already forced the postponement of an attempt to export the animals in June.

“If it is discovered that the transactions resemble underhand transactions, Zimbabwe should pull out of the deal,” he said.

“That would mean anything that damages the welfare of the elephants, involves illicit money changing hands, or contravening international law.”

Tinashe Farawo, a spokesman for Zimbabwe National Parks, said the deal was all above board.

“They are alleging we are not transparent. We are a public entity, and we are audited by the auditor general. Everything we are doing is in accordance with the law of the country and international obligations,” he said.

“Our record speaks for itself. We must be doing something right with our wildlife. That is why we have the second biggest elephant population in the world.”