Zimbabwe has sold over 100 innocent elephants to China and Dubai
- The country's wildlife management agency said the move was aimed at reducing the high number of animals in parks
- The agency noted the country had 84,000 elephants against the carrying capacity of 50,000
- The proceeds from the sales, according to the agency, would be used on anti-poaching projects, conservation work, research and welfare
PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Briefly.co.za News on your News Feed!
Zimbabwe has sold close to 100 elephants to China and Dubai for a total of around R38 000 000 within the last six years.
The move, according to the country's wildlife agency, is aimed at reducing the high number of elephants in the national parks.
PAY ATTENTION: Do you want to know what's trending on Briefly.co.za? Join our WhatsApp group today.
Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesman, Tinashe Farawo on Wednesday, May 15 told eNCA press the animals were overcrowded in the parks and selling some to China and Dubai was a control measure.
"We have 84,000 elephants against a carrying capacity of 50,000, sellng some is a way of reducing the numbers at our parks. We believe in sustainable use of resources, so we sell a few elephants to take care of the rest," said Farawo
READ ALSO: Pearl Thusi shares silly clip of herself singing about load-shedding
The authority noted the high numbers of the animals had seen some of them encroach into human settlements, destroying crops and posing a risk to human life.
"Close to 200 people have died in human-and-animal conflict in the past five years, and at least 7,000 hectares of crops have been destroyed by elephants," said Farawo.
The country reportedly airlifted 93 elephants to China and four others to Dubai between 2012 and 2018.
The proceeds from the sales, according to the spokesperson, would be used on anti-poaching projects, conservation work, research and welfare.
Enjoyed reading our story? Download BRIEFLY's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major South African news!
Source: Briefly News
