Below is a quote from Dr Mark Jones, Head of Policy at Born Free. He will also be giving a speech at the protest outside the Chinese Embassy tomorrow.
“The news that 32 young, wild-caught elephants have once again been exported from Zimbabwe to China is deeply disturbing. By capturing and trading in these animals, the authorities in Zimbabwe and China are wilfully ignoring the devastating impacts this will have on their welfare and that of their natal families and herds. The undercover footage of the elephants in their holding facility in China shows just how barren the conditions are, and how little those who have facilitated the trade understand, or perhaps care, about the welfare of these animals.
“The authorities in Zimbabwe and China have chosen to ignore ongoing legal challenges to the exports from within Zimbabwe, and the spirit of new international rules governing the export of elephants from Zimbabwe agreed at the UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in August. The new rules limit live elephant exports to in situ conservation programmes within the elephants’ home range, and although technically they don’t come into effect until the end of November, an overwhelming majority of governments from around the world agreed that the cruel capture and export of wild elephants to zoos and other captive facilities should be brought to an end.”
“That a country like Zimbabwe, with such wonderful and diverse wildlife, is prepared to capture and sell sentient and intelligent wild animals in this way so a few people can make a profit, beggars belief. Millions of Zimbabweans who have no say in these dark and shady deals are being deprived of their natural heritage. Meanwhile these highly intelligent and sensitive animals are being condemned to miserable lives in captivity, in order to provide entertainment for an uninformed public audience.”
“Born Free will continue to work with governments, international organisations, and our colleagues and friends in Zimbabwe and China, to try to secure a better future for these unfortunate elephants, and to ensure that this kind of travesty can never be allowed to happen again.”
If you require further details, or would like to talk to Dr Jones at the protest tomorrow between 12pm and 2pm, then please contact Gemma.