A few individuals have sought to tarnish the ZIMPARKS image in a bid to derail the growth of the tourism sector.
Recently social media has been awash with all sorts of falsehoods, exaggerations and mischief regarding the sell of elephants.
The truth of the matter is that ZIMPARKS sold a total of 101 Elephants for the period 2026 to 2019. The table attached clearly demonstrates the number of elephants sold, the sales and expenses thereof.
The tabulated figures are authentic and will dispel the malice perpetuated by misguided elements.
The table also demonstrates the number of elephants sold by ZIMPARKS since 2016 and revenue realized thereof and how the funds were utilized.
Claims that elephant sale proceeds were misappropriated by politicians are false and unfounded because ZIMPARKS can not afford that luxury when it’s not even getting enough to fund conservation.
Funds generated from live sales are used in conservation of elephants in the protected area and its immediate surroundings.
ZIMPARKS does not get funding from fiscus so such funds go a long way in addressing the conservation requirements. Zimparks relies on internal commercial business and on public private partnership arrangements to generate financial resources to support all its operations.
Zimparks finances are audited by both internal and external auditors. For transparent purposes, Zimparks has gone further starting this year to hold annual general meetings with its shareholders, stakeholders and the general public.
The sale of elephants abroad is a transaction that has to pass through the board, be recommended to the minister for approval by the Permanent Secretary and get approval from the minister.
The transaction has to further get a nod from the Office of the President and Cabinet. The transaction is done according to national law in particular the Parks and Wildlife Act: Chapter 20:14 and International laws, especially CITES.
Both receiving and giving properties are assessed based on national and international guidelines. The giving population is assessed in terms of its biological sustainability. Thus zimbabwe has a surplus of elephants and sustainable removals are being done without damaging the intrinsic biological capacity of the population to self replace.
The receiving site is subjected to suitability assessment by a Zimbabwean team. Elephants only go to facilities that have been cleared by the importing country. The captured elephants are those at weaning age and above.
The capture of the elephants is done under humane conditions , and upholding animal welfare aspects by qualified veterinarians.
Elephants are transported to insitu bomas where they are acclimatized and get used to management in bomas and preparation for long distance transportation. They are fed, watered and given veterinary care for at least 3 months.
Security in bomas is 24 hours. The animals are screened of diseases to the requirements of the importing country.
Animals are airlifted to destination country following IATA regulations and are accompanied by qualified veterinarians and capture experts. It’s a process and there is no way this type of transaction can be a secret.
Payments for the animals is done through official channels and in foreign currency, if they are to be exported. Completed CD1 form is proof of payment showing the right amount of money coming into the country through commercial banks as payment for the elephants. So ZIMPARKS has no secrets, it’s working with various stakeholders is open to all.