The Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) has expressed shock and deep concern about a decision made by the government to slaughter 200 elephants ostensibly to feed hungry citizens and reduce the elephant population.
In a statement released today, CNRG expressed fear that the government’s decision is a major policy reversal that defeats notable conservation work championed by the government and private players over the past four decades. CNRG, is a leading research and advocacy organization championing climate justice and wildlife conservation, land rights, human rights, environmental integrity, and anticorruption in the natural resources sector.
There are growing fears that the government’s move to cull elephants has the potential to open floodgates for poaching given reported challenges of the poisoning of elephants and smuggling of ivory over the years. Zimbabwean authorities recently announced their intention to cull 200 wild elephants to address severe food shortages affecting communities amidst the worst drought in four decades, as reported by wildlife authorities.
Download CNRG’s full statement here:
CNRG-STATEMENT-ON-ELEPHANT-CULLING