Zimbabwe wants to sell baby elephants

Mom and baby elephant

What is becoming known as an alarming abduction of baby elephants in Zimbabwe is taking place right now! These baby elephants are between the ages of just two and four years old (they feed on their mother’s milk until they are 5). They are snatched from their mothers to be sold abroad, to countries speculated to be those such as Thailand and China. A baby elephant can be sold for between $40 000 and $60 000. They could possibly be sold into captivity to endure a life of torture and abuse.  

The government of Zimbabwe have defended the capturing and planned exporting of these baby elephants describing it as a means to control the population as opposed to culling. It is believed that other wildlife such as lions, antelopes as well as these baby elephants are being captured and sold for profit due to the country’s poor financial state. To export elephants well may be legal in Zimbabwe but conservation groups and people worldwide feel this does not make it morally right. Many feel that this is an inhumane practice and are doing their best to fight against it. You too can help by signing petitions found on the web such as this one;

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/661/007/628/

Baby Elephant looking happy

According to the National Geographic, more than 80 baby elephants are being held captured at a facility in Hwange National Park. The babies can be heard crying out for their mothers and appear stressed out according to a source from the park. Both mother and baby are left emotionally traumatized when ripped apart. Babies have been known to die while being shipped abroad, such as in 2012 when 4 baby elephants tragically died while en route to China.

Elephants are highly intelligent and social animals, growing up in a matriarchal close knit group. They develop deep bonds to their families that last a lifetime. Experts believe that they experience human-like feelings of joy, love, empathy and grief among others. So the export of these poor babies is ultimately cruel for the entire elephant family.

Can this controversial exploit be stopped?