Media Release. 14 January 2013
World Citizens for Elephants
INTERNATIONAL
OUTRAGE OVER SALE OF WILD BABY ELEPHANTS TO CHINESE ZOOS AND CIRCUSES.
Downloadable: Media Release Zim Elephants Sold to China.14.1 by Jude Price
TEXT ONLY.
Media Release. 14 January 2013
World Citizens for Elephants
INTERNATIONAL
OUTRAGE OVER SALE OF WILD BABY ELEPHANTS TO CHINESE ZOOS AND CIRCUSES.
Nine baby Zimbabwe elephants have recently been caught in the wild and sold to
Chinese Zoos. Four calves were flown to China in December 2012; one of the
infants tragically died on arrival at the zoo in China, leaving
the remaining elephant of that pair alone. They were destined for the Beijing Zoo;
however these were on-sold to The Taiyuan Zoo and
Circus. The other two went to Xinjiang Tianshan Safari Park. Temperatures at the Chinese Zoos can fall
below -10 Celsius.
Johnny Rodrigues, chairman of the
Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force (ZCTF), told SW Radio Africa he was
"disgusted" and "heartbroken" by these recent developments,
because elephants are "just like humans" and taking their babies is
“just like kidnapping”.
Elephant
Biologist, Dr Joyce Poole, Co-Director of Elephant Voices states "Wild
elephants live in close-knit family groups, female elephants maintain lifelong
bonds with their relatives and babies rarely venture more than a few metres
from their mothers - to remove infants from their natal herds undoubtedly
causes immense suffering and harm to both the infants and their mothers".
It has been
confirmed that five more baby elephants remain in captivity in Zimbabwe awaiting
transportation to Chinese Zoos.
World
Citizens for Elephants (WCE) has mounted a petition voicing global concern
about the capture, sale of the elephants and the death of the calf. The public petition
has gained 13,000 signatures in a week; including elephant experts Dame Daphne
Sheldrick, Dr Cynthia Moss and Dr Joyce Poole, amongst others. The petition
calls on the Secretariat of CITES, the body responsible for monitoring the trade
in endangered species, and its Member Parties Zimbabwe and China to investigate
the circumstances surrounding the sales and to stop the remaining elephants
being transported to China.
Born
Free Foundation has lodged an official complaint to the CITES authorities. The Asia for Animals Coalition (AfA) whose
members include Animals Asia, IFAW, Humane Society International, Royal Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and others, are concerned that “The
standard of animal care at Chinese zoos remains far from satisfactory to
provide for the behavioral and physiological needs of wild caught African
elephant calves. The inhumane methods used to ‘train’ elephants for public
performances, doom one of Africa’s most beloved animals to lives of deprivation
and illness.” The AfA Coalition has called for the immediate cancellation of
the sales.
Director of The Lawrence Anthony Earth Organization, David Bozas and
its Executive Director Yvette Taylor, said in interview "The Lawrence Anthony
Earth Organization strongly condemns the sale of the nine elephant calves to
Chinese Zoos and urges Authorities to do all within their power to rectify the
situation and ensure the welfare of the elephants in Zimbabwe and China."
World
Citizens for Elephants (WCE) has released a public statement and continues to
protest the capture and trade of these unfortunate calves. A spokesperson for WCE,
Jude Price, said "We call on the National Park authorities in Zimbabwe to
release the remaining elephants to a suitable sanctuary for rehabilitation and
eventual release into the wild and the authorities in China to work with a
reputable welfare organisation to ensure that the three elephants in China are
reunited and provided with proper housing and care in a sanctuary-like
environment".
Concerned
citizens can sign the petition here: https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/CITES_Revoke_Zimbabwe_Elephant_Permits/
This
is not the first time Zimbabwe has had their actions called into question
regarding management of wildlife. In 2010 the sale of elephants to North Korean
zoos was stopped following an international outcry. In March 2012, the Scientific
Support Officer at CITES Secretariat based in Geneva, Tom De Meulenaer, stated
in an article about wildlife irregularities in the ZimEye. “Zimbabwe used to be
a leader in environment and wildlife and we are aware that it has lost its
standards and hope that will be restored before it is too late”.
[end]
Attributions:
SW Radio. Tererai
Karimakwenda, 7 January 2013.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201301080216.html
Contact:
World
Citizens for Elephants: Jude Price +61 8
0468 450 916 email: elephantectivism@gmail.org
Adelaide, Australia – Central Daylight Time
Separate attached photo of the remaining
elephant calf being kept alone in an unheated concrete facility at the Taiyuan Zoo and Circus is free for use.
