HARARE, Zimbabwe — An animal welfare group says five baby elephants held in captivity in western Zimbabwe for shipment to zoos in China have been returned to the wild.
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said Monday the calves were taken to a state-run national park over the weekend where they will undergo “rehabilitation and integration” with existing elephant herds. The babies’ real mothers could not be traced.
State parks and wildlife officials agreed on their release, the group said, and “the capture of wild animals for zoos or similar habitats, irrespective of location” is expected to be stopped.
Four baby elephants were flown to China in November. Conservationists said the calves suffered extreme stress separated from family groups on the 36-hour journey to China and one died later.
Reblogged this on Ann Novek–With the Sky as the Ceiling and the Heart Outdoors.
Thank Dog! I was so upset this had happened, and while this isn’t a great ending, it’s better than what could have been.
So glad the elephants were returned to the wild. The greedy zoo industry continues to exploit animals year after year under the guise of conservation and education. It must stop.
yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reblogged this on florenceeaise and commented:
fantastic news
Fantastic news Stacey thanks for posting
Great news for those babies!
Reblogged this on Exposing the Big Game.
I am so happy but where are their mothers?
I’m sure that if their mothers are still alive, these babies WILL be found. I have faith in their remarkable abilities.