Johnny Rodrigues & elephant (ZCTF photo)
8th December 2014
UPDATE ON ELEPHANTS CAPTURED FOR EXPORT
Further to our last report, http://wp.me/p4pKmM-WQ, we have now been informed that 36 elephants have been captured for export to China. Of the 36, one has already died and the meat was shared out between the people at the boma. We are extremely distressed that the elephants haven’t even left yet and one has already died. Twenty-seven elephants have been medically examined and found to be fit for travel, but we don’t know what will happen to the other nine.
Zimbabwean environment minister Saviour Kasukuwere has stated that the elephants are going to the United Arab Emirates, not to China. In view of this, a letter has been written to the Sheikh of the UAE by David Neale, animal welfare director for the Animals Asia Foundation. His letter (below) has been agreed to by all the signatories at the foot of the letter.
––Johnny Rodrigues
Chair, Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force
Landline: 263-4-339065
Mobile: 263-712-603-213
E-mail: galorand@mweb.co.zw
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/ZCTF-Zimbabwe-Conservation-Task-Force/246013052094585
Web site: www.zctfofficialsite.org
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum
Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline and Group
Emirates Group HQ
PO Box 686
Dubai
December 2014
Your Highness,
Re: Transport of elephants from Zimbabwe to the UAE / China by Emirates Airlines
This letter is sent on behalf of major international animal welfare organizations and elephant conservation and welfare charities and their many millions of supporters worldwide, signed below. Collectively, we have extensive experience in advising governments and industry around the world on animal welfare policy and practice.
We are writing to most respectfully seek your personal support concerning a critical animal welfare issue.
In Zimbabwe elephants, lions and other endangered wild animals cruelly captured from their wild herds are currently awaiting export to foreign zoos and entertainment facilities. A parallel case in November 2012, in which Emirates Airlines flew wild captured elephant calves from Zimbabwe to China, resulted in a global public outcry. The renewed captures of wildlife for export are already drawing much criticism in the media, and a robust and widespread response from the public.
We are in no doubt that you share our concerns and will be saddened to learn that three of four elephants captured in Hwange National Park in 2012 and sent to two Chinese Zoos have since died. At least one elephant calf died in quarantine soon after arrival into China. . The one surviving elephant at Taiyuan Zoo is clearly suffering from bad health (as confirmed by a group of elephant specialists veterinarians who examine footage and photographs obtained from the facility, and put their concerns in writing in a letter to Chinese officials in February 2013) and without the company of other elephants, which, we are sure you are aware, is essential for the psychological well-being and behavioural development of these highly social, intelligent animals.
Elephants have a highly evolved complex social system; extensive research has shown that elephants kept alone, especially elephant calves, will very likely develop abnormal behaviours and suffer high levels of stress. The facilities of the zoos that imported these animals do not come anywhere close to meeting modern, international zoo standards and, given that even the most highly regarded modern zoos seriously struggle to keep elephants well, many zoos simply cannot provide for the psychological or physiological needs of elephants.
Without question, it is our collective view that the elephants captured from their wild herds and transported to unnatural environments are suffering greatly, and that their removal from their natal herds will have had a damaging lasting impact on the remaining animals.
We are deeply concerned that the previous as well as the current planned export may be contravening the commitments of the countries concerned to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which requires that such transactions can only be permitted if they are sustainable, prevent cruel treatment and ensure adequate housing and care at the animal’s destination. Elephant population estimates for Zimbabwe are unreliable, implementation of management plans and controls inadequate and on-going poaching could result in a rapid population decline.
Furthermore, mortality rates of calves during capture, transport and in captivity are high. Elephant experts agree that the removal of calves from family groups is inherently cruel, and causes severe psychological trauma to the affected calves and the group.
We urge Emirates Airlines to not support such actions which violate welfare standards and the conservation of endangered species. We kindly urge you to refuse to transport these wild caught animals to captive facilities, where their welfare will inevitably be severely compromised.
Emirates’ stated vision ‘to make the Emirates Group an environmental leader’ includes a commitment to several conservation programmes and the Emirates Environmental Policy clearly recognises that ‘customers, staff and regulators are increasingly conscious about the environment and greenhouse gas emissions’. We suggest that your staff and customers, along with our organizations’ many supporters, will also be conscious of, and concerned about, the welfare of those recently captured wild animals and would wish that no further elephants suffered in this way.
Emirates has an opportunity to demonstrate to its customers and the wider public that it will not compromise its environmental credentials by participating in the export of wild caught animals from Zimbabwe. The photo below of the one surviving solitary elephant at Taiyuan Zoo clearly shows that the conditions in this zoo do not provide the quality of physical, social and psychological care elephants require.
Your personal assurance that Emirates will play no further part in the transport of such wild caught animals would give us all the comfort we seek and we would subsequently be pleased to recognise that principled position in international press and media communications acknowledging Emirates’ decision.
We look forward most respectfully to your positive response.
Yours sincerely,
David Neale
Animal Welfare Director, Animals Asia Foundation
10/F, Kai Tak Commercial Building 317-319 Des Voeux Road, Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
dneale@animalsasia.org
Cc: Mr Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline
Sir Maurice Flanagan KBE, Executive Vice Chairman, Emirates Airline and Group
Sent on behalf of the following organisations:
1. AAP Rescue Centre for Exotic Animals, NETHERLANDS
2. All Life In A Viable Environment, JAPAN
3. Andhra PRadesh Goshalala Federation, INDIA
4. Anima, MACAU
5. Animal Friends, CROATIA
6. Animal Friends Niigata, JAPAN
7. Animal Projects & Environmental Education, MALAYSIA
8. Animal Protection Network, SWEDEN
9. Animal Rights Action Network, IRELAND
10. Animal Rights Centre, JAPAN
11. Animal Sanctuary Trust, INDONESIA
12. Animals Australia
13. ARK Animal Refuge Kansai, JAPAN
14. Australians for Animals
15. Bali Animal Welfare Association, INDONESIA
16. Bali Sea Turtle Society (BSTS), INDONESIA
17. Behavioral & Environmental Solutions, USA
18. Beijing Pet Adoption Day, CHINA
19. Beijing Sunflower Friends of Animal Team,CHINA
20. Bharatiya Prani Mitra Sangh, Hyderabad, INDIA
21. Blue Cross Youth Seva Sangham – Andhra Pradesh, INDIA
22. Born Free Foundation, UK
23. British Hen Welfare Trust, UK
24. Care for the Wild International,UK
25. Cat Welfare Society, SINGAPORE
26. Causes for Animals Ltd, SINGAPORE
27. Cee4life, AUSTRALIA
28. Centre for Orangutan Protection, INDONESIA
29. Changchun 3.10 Shanxiao Fund, CHINA
30. Changsha Small Animal Protection Association, CHINA
31. Chengde Cat Forest, CHINA
32. Chengdu Home of Love Small Animal Rescue Center, CHINA
33. China Farm Animal Protection Coalition, CHINA
34. China Journalists Salon for Animal Protection, CHINA
35. China Youth Animal Protection Alliance, CHINA
36. China Zoo Watch, CHINA
37. Compassion Unlimited Plus Action, Bangalore, INDIA
38. CPR Environmental Education Centre, INDIA
39. Dalian VSHINE Protection of Animals SPCA, CHINA
40. Darjeeling Animal Shelter, INDIA
41. David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, UK
42. Djurskyddet Sverige (Animal Welfare Sweden), SWEDEN
43. Dobro Surtse, BULGARIA
44. DOGSTOP, HONG KONG
45. Dzivnieku Draugs, LATVIA
46. Egyptian Society of Animal Friends, EGYPT
47. Elephant Asia Rescue & Survival Foundation, HONG KONG
48. ElephantVoices, KENYA
49. Embark, SRI LANKA
50. Ente Nazionale Protezione Animali – Onlus, ITALY
51. Environment Films, UK
52. European Animal Protection Foundation, SWITZERLAND
53. FAADA, SPAIN
54. Fanciers Nanning Stray Cats, CHINA
55. Finnish Federation for Animal Welfare Organisations (SEY), FINLAND
56. For Elephants International,
57. Four Paws, UK
58. Four Paws International
59. Friends of the Earth, MALAYSIA
60. Fuzhou Aixinyuan Stray Animal Rescue Center, CHINA
61. Fuzhou Small Animal Protection Center, CHINA
62. Gansu Green Volunteer Home, CHINA
63. GREY2K USA Worldwide, USA
64. Greyhound Compassion UK
65. Guangdong the Best Volunteer Center, CHINA
66. Guangyuan Bo’ai Animal Protection Center, CHINA
67. Guangzhou Cat -Xi Xi Forest, CHINA
68. Hefei Kennel Association Care Center, CHINA
69. Help Animals India, INDIA
70. Himalayan Animal Rescue Trust, INDIA
71. HK Dolphin Conservation Society, HONG KONG
72. Huhhot Angel Guardian, CHINA
73. Iceland Animal Welfare Foundation, ICELAND
74. In Defense of Animals, USA
75. In Defense of Animals, INDIA
76. International Otter Survival Fund, UK
77. International Primate Protection League
78. Jakarta Animal Aid Network, INDONESIA
79. JBF India Trust, INDIA
80. Jinan Cattery, CHINA
81. Karuna Society for Animals & Nature, INDIA
82. Kathmandu Animal Treatment Centre, NEPAL
83. Korea Animal Rights Advocate, REPUBLIC OF KOREA
84. Korean Animal Welfare Association, REPUBLIC OF KOREA
85. Lanta Animal Welfare, HONG KONG
86. Lanzhou Street Animal Rescue Station, CHINA
87. Life Conservationist Association, TAIWAN
88. Lifelong Animal Protection, HONG KONG
89. Light of Life Veterinary Clinic, SINGAPORE
90. Love Wildlife Foundation, THAILAND
91. Lucky Cats, CHINA
92. Marine Connection, UK
93. MelbournDolphin, AUSTRALIA
94. moonbears.org
95. Nanchang Small Animal Protection Association, CHINA
96. Nanjing Ping An A Fu Stray Animal Rescue Association, CHINA
97. National Council of SPCAs, SOUTH AFRICA
98. Navale Consulting Group, INDIA
99. Orangutan Aid, HONG KONG
100. Palawan Animal Welfare Association, PHILIPINNES
101. People For Animals – Chennai, INDIA
102. People For Animals – Hooghly, INDIA
103. Pet Orphans Home, CHINA
104. PETA Asia, HONG KONG
105. Plant & Animal Welfare Society, INDIA
106. Pro Wildlife, GERMANY
107. Qingdao Society for the Protection of Animals, CHINA
108. RAKSHA – Voice of the Voiceless, INDIA
109. Rattle the Cage Productions, THAILAND
110. Royal Veterinary College, University of London, HONG KONG
111. RSPCA Victoria, AUSTRALIA
112. Sahayog Organisation, Andhra Pradesh Goshalala Federation, Hyderabad, INDIA
113. Shandong Yantai Caring Street Animals Rescue Shelter, CHINA
114. Sichuan Qiming Companion Animal Protection Center, CHINA
115. SJZ One Meter More Love stray cats rescue group, CHINA
116. Society for Animal Welfare and Management, NEPAL
117. Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – Penang, MALAYSIA
118. Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – Sarawak, MALAYSIA
119. Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – Selangor, MALAYSIA
120. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Xiangzhou, Zhuhai), CHINA
121. Soi Dog Foundation, THAILAND
122. Stiftung fuer Baeren / Foundation for Bears, SWITZERLAND
123. Stray Relief and Animal Welfare, INDIA
124. Sun Bear Centre – Kalimantan, INDONESIA
125. Swiss Animal Protection SAP / Schweizer Tierschutz STS / Protection Suisse des Animaux PSA, SWITZERLAND
126. Taiwan SPCA, TAIWAN
127. Thai Fund for Elephant Foundation, THAILAND
128. The Cattitude Trust – Chennai, INDIA
129. The Corbett Foundation, INDIA
130. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, KENYA
131. The Humane Education Trust, SOUTH AFRICA
132. The Welfare of Stray Dogs – Mumbai, INDIA
133. The Winsome Constance Kindness Trust, AUSTRALIA
134. Tianjin Common Home, CHINA
135. Together for Animals in China, CHINA
136. United Against Elephant Polo, INDIA
137. Voice for Zoo Animals, JAPAN
138. “We Are One Family” Charity Association of Chongqing Normal University, CHINA
139. Wildlife Alliance, CAMBODIA
140. Wildlife in Need (and Active Environments), PHILIPPINES
141. Wildlife Protection Society of India, INDIA
142. Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre, Bangalore, INDIA
143. Wolf Watch UK
144. Wuhan Small Animal Protection Association, CHINA
145. Xi’an Grenadine Companion Animal Rescue Center, CHINA
146. Xiamen Animal Protection Education Association, CHINA
147. Xiamen Pet Web, CHINA
148. Xinjiang Karamay City Street Animal Protection Centre, CHINA
149. YeuDongVat, VIETNAM
150. Zhangzhou Small Animal Scientifically Rescue Center, CHINA
151. Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force, ZIMBABWE
152. Zoocheck Canada, CANADA
