Zimbabwe sells shooting rights for 500 elephants
The health crisis has brought tourism to a standstill in most parts of the world, and Zimbabwe is no exception. The situation is so dire that the country with the second-largest elephant population in the world may be forced to sacrifice many of its animals.
Zimbabwe plans to sell rights to shoot around 500 elephants for up to US$70,000 per animal in order to fund the maintenance of its national parks.
Corona temporarily halted trophy hunting
In Zimbabwe, the coronavirus pandemic had one positive effect: the government's plans to have hundreds of elephants shot by foreign tourists fell through in the face of international travel restrictions. Now, up to 500 elephants are set to be culled.
«How do we finance our operations?", said Tinashe Farawo, a spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority. "Those who are against our management should instead give us the funds».
Animal welfare advocates condemn hobby hunting
«We strongly condemn trophy hunting, a practice that puts pressure on wild animals and exacerbates human-wildlife conflict", protests Simiso Mlevu, spokesperson for the Centre for Natural Resources Management.
The southern African country attracts most of its hobby hunters from the USA, Russia, Mexico, and the European Union.
