Elephant export to China halted

Zimbabwe’s state wildlife authority has halted the export of five more baby elephants to Chinese zoos following intense pressure from animal rights activists around the world.

In November, four juvenile elephants were sent to a Chinese zoo and a game park under a secret deal between president Robert Mugabe and the Chinese authorities. One of the calves has since died.

Yesterday, the Zimbabwe National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said five remaining calves had been released from the makeshift enclosures they were being confined in in Hwange National Park and taken to a protected park north-east of Harare.