Georgie
12-30-2003, 06:26 PM
http://www.mg.co.za/Content/l3.asp?ao=29058
Hundreds of wild elephants are the latest refugees from violence and disorder in Robert Mugabe's crisis-torn Zimbabwe. The animals are fleeing the country by wading across the Zambezi river to escape being shot or trapped by so-called "war veterans" and illegal hunters.
Game wardens in Zambia say record numbers of elephants are crossing the Zambezi, which forms the border between the two countries, to avoid being poached by armed gangs in Zimbabwe.
"Elephants are quite intelligent and can communicate. They know they are safer on this side of the river," said one game warden.
The exodus is an indication of the devastation facing wildlife in Zimbabwe, where animals are said to be at risk of indiscriminate slaughter in reserves and former privately owned game parks.
With the breakdown of law and order, animals of all kinds are reportedly being poached on a massive scale for ivory and even for food.
Hundreds of wild elephants are the latest refugees from violence and disorder in Robert Mugabe's crisis-torn Zimbabwe. The animals are fleeing the country by wading across the Zambezi river to escape being shot or trapped by so-called "war veterans" and illegal hunters.
Game wardens in Zambia say record numbers of elephants are crossing the Zambezi, which forms the border between the two countries, to avoid being poached by armed gangs in Zimbabwe.
"Elephants are quite intelligent and can communicate. They know they are safer on this side of the river," said one game warden.
The exodus is an indication of the devastation facing wildlife in Zimbabwe, where animals are said to be at risk of indiscriminate slaughter in reserves and former privately owned game parks.
With the breakdown of law and order, animals of all kinds are reportedly being poached on a massive scale for ivory and even for food.