By Robert Tapfumaneyi
THE CENTRE for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) has called on government to rescind its decision to open the country to trophy hunters with over 500 elephants to be placed under its hunting quota.
The lobby group has advised the government to seek the support of international conservation organisations in finding additional resources to improve conservation.
The group has also called on authorities to be transparent, democratic and accountable with decision making processes that affect Zimbabwe’s natural resources and the country’s standing in the international community.
This week, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) said it was putting up over 500 elephants for trophy hunting to fund its operations, raising international condemnation from animal rights groups including CNRG.
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Credit: AP
Zimbabwe plans to sell rights to shoot hundreds of elephants in a desperate bid to make up for tourism income lost during the Covid pandemic.
As many as 500 elephants could be killed as the hunting season kicks off over the southern hemisphere’s winter season.
Tinashe Farawo, a spokesman for the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA) told ITV News hunting is nothing new and that the tourism it brings is vital to financing conservation efforts.
He said they have had to revise their budget down by 70-80% and that failure to raise funds could leave them unable to afford proper defences against poachers.