13th May 2010

HWANGE ANIMALS BOUND FOR KOREAN ZOO

We were recently informed that in accordance with a Presidential Decree, two of every species of animal in Hwange National Park are to be captured and sent to a zoo in North Korea. According to the report, the animals will include two eighteen month old elephant calves. It is believed that this is a "gift" from the President of Zimbabwe to the President of Korea.

Capture and spotting teams have been seen in the park and there have been reports of armed men standing around key waterholes waiting for the game to appear so they can radio the information back to the capture teams. There have also been reports of National Parks vehicles towing cages around.

A National Parks informant has confirmed that the animals are being kept in quarantine in bomas at Umtshibi in Hwange National Park and will leave for Korea very soon. Elephant experts do not think there is much chance that the 2 young elephants will survive the trip.

HWANGE ANIMALS RELOCATED TO FARM.

A prominent official in the Central Intelligence Organization has been allocated a farm in the Mutare area and according to reports, his farm has been stocked with wildlife from Hwange National Park. Apparently, no Environmental Impact Assessment was carried out to ascertain whether or not the habitat is suitable for the animals.

We have withheld the name of the CIO official but can release it upon request.

Johnny Rodrigues
Chairman for Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force
Landline: 263 4 336710
Landline/Fax: 263 4 339065
Mobile: 263 11 603 213
Email: galorand@mweb.co.zw
Website: www.zctf.mweb.co.zw
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