Elephant calves exported from Zimbabwe as China bans ivory trade
Christina Russo & Adam Cruise, Bulawayo24 News
January 2, 2018
China is reportedly importing more than 30 wild caught elephant calves from Zimbabwe in a controversial if not cynical move taking place on the very day at the very time China is banning the sale of ivory
31 wild elephants recently captured in Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe have been airfreighted abroad, according to Zimbabwean government sources official who has asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal. The shipment was confirmed by the Zimbabwean Conservation Task Force.
The elephants are very young, between the ages of 3 and 6. Two of them are particularly fragile: One female calf is struggling to stand and has open sores on her body; she has been weak since she was captured.
The elephants were captured from Hwange on August 8 and footage of the operation was secreted to reporters.
The Guardian published the explosive video footage, which showed captors repeatedly kicking a five-year old female elephant in the head.
Ethiopian Airlines shipped the animals on Friday, according to photos sent to reporters from Zimbabwe.
The animals are presumably in or on their way to China: Zimbabwe has sent at least three known shipments of wild caught elephants to China since 2012. Last year, one of the elephants died during transport.
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