Zimbabwe plan to import tigers!

By Tererai Karimakwenda
16 September 2005

The state controlled Herald newspaper reported that four endangered Siberian tigers are about to be imported from China for captive breeding in Zimbabwe. Tourism Minister Francis Nhema told the newspaper that this was part of an exchange programme in which China had received zebras, elephant and impala. A BBC report said correspondents see the move as an attempt by Robert Mugabe to strengthen ties with China.

Johnny Rodrigues, Chairman of the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force, said it is madness to bring endangered animals from elsewhere when we have our own species about to join that endangered list. Rodrigues said there are no tiger experts in Zimbabwe and there is no guarantee someone will look after them properly. He also said no research had been done on our habitat. He also said no research had been done in China to assess whether our animals would respond well there.

According to The Herald, Nhema said three experts found our animal habitats friendly to the requirements that are compulsory for tiger breeding. The tigers would be kept in a centre in the Hwange National Park. BBC News reported that a biologist working for the National University of Science and Technology in Bulawayo, Peter Mundy, told a news agency that the plan was "a complete load of garbage". He went further to say it would be cruel because the park's seasons, climate and vegetation were not suitable for these animals. Their native region is seasonally covered in snow.

Our animals are being slaughtered on a daily basis and we can't even look after are own endangered species such as rhino.