Zimbabwe ups elephant trade lobby efforts

Tanyaradzwa Rusike

ZIMBABWE will aggressively lobby for the relaxation of global elephant and ivory trade restrictions when the country hosts the inaugural African Elephant Summit this month.

The summit, which will bring together environment ministers from 14 African countries, will be held in Hwange between May 23 and May 26.

Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Deputy Minister Barbra Rwodzi said the indaba will provide a platform to discuss conservation and management of elephants in the continent.

“We have invited 14 countries and the objective is to discuss the conversation and management of elephants in our region and more so in our country,” said Deputy Minister Rwodzi.

“We have the capacity of holding 45 000 elephants, but as a result of our excellent management, we now have 90 000 elephants across our country.”

She said Africa must come up with a common position on trade in elephants ahead of the COP27 Climate Conference, which will be held in November.

“We are saying let us come together before COP27 in November and discuss this because we have other regions outside Africa who are insisting that elephants should be in Appendix One, meaning there won’t be any trade of anything to do with elephants.

“Currently, they are under Appendix Two, meaning minimum trade is permitted.

“Now they want to move the elephants to Appendix One and we are saying let’s have a discussion together and go to COP27 with one voice and one objective as a continent.”

At the summit, ministers will discuss the management of ivory stockpiles and attempt to build consensus around wildlife management.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) has received a US$2 million shot in the arm from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) to aid its wildlife conservation work.

Zimparks spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo said funding will help inject fresh impetus into the tourism sector.

“Covid-19 has destroyed tourism in a big way,” said Mr Farawo.

“We have been relying more on tourism to fund some of our activities. We all know what has happened in the last two years. Victoria Falls was literally closed, meaning there was no revenue. This kind of partnership will help to boost whatever we are doing and it has enabled us to be more effective in our conservation efforts.”

He said through the partnership with Zimparks has equipped its rangers and reaction units to help fight poaching.

“They are assisting us in a big way and over the last two years they have poured in more than US$2 million, and we are extremely grateful.

“To date, we have managed to construct houses for rangers at Makona Camp, which are ready for occupation.

“Previously, we used to deploy our rangers from the main camp to Makona and, considering the distance, it was costly.

“Setting up this camp will help us look for our most-priced animals like elephants.”

Zimparks signed a five-year agreement with the United States-based animal welfare organisation to promote wildlife conservation, animal rescue, rehabilitation as well as research.

The agreement, which became effective in 2020, will unlock US$1 million annually, which will be directed towards various projects.