Elephant calves back in Zim wild
January 21 2013 at 06:14pm
By SAPA
Harare, Zimbabwe – An animal welfare group says five baby elephants held in
captivity in western Zimbabwe for shipment to zoos in China have been
returned to the wild.
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said Monday
the calves were taken to a state-run national park over the weekend where
they will undergo “rehabilitation and integration” with existing elephant
herds. The babies’ real mothers could not be traced.
State parks and wildlife officials agreed on their release, the group said,
and “the capture of wild animals for zoos or similar habitats, irrespective
of location” is expected to be stopped.
Four baby elephants were flown to China in November. Conservationists said
the calves suffered extreme stress separated from family groups on the
36-hour journey to China and one died later. – Sapa-AP