Tell Zimbabwe to Stop Elephant Exploitation

To: travellers to Africa, eco-tourists, and everyone who cares about wildlife
 
Zimbabwe's government is damaging the country’s international reputation with its mass killing of elephants. We call on it to prioritise  sustainable solutions to drought and hunger for the long-term benefit of Zimbabwe’s citizens, wildlife and tourism. 

To support this request for change we are asking the global community to boycott tourism to Zimbabwe until the government ends its inhumane treatment of the wildlife they want us to pay to see. By visiting Zimbabwe, you are funding one of the most corrupt governments in the world to continue its wildlife exploitation, which now includes plans to kill 200 elephants or more.

The head of Zimbabwe’s parks authority, charged with protecting wildlife for tourism and future generations, said, "Kill one elephant and they [the West] make noise … You want to sell the ivory, they make noise … If we count 200 and we find it’s not enough, we have got every sovereign right to kill more."

We also have a sovereign right: to spend our money elsewhere.

Zimbabwe's Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) has voiced strong opposition to the cull, questioning the government's real motives and calling for sustainable strategies to feed those suffering from hunger.

The Problem:

1. Elephants for Meat: Zimbabwe plans to cull 200 elephants, citing exaggerated claims of overpopulation and human-wildlife conflict. However, the impact of this cull will be minimal in terms of food, with less than 20 grams of meat per drought victim for the 2m most affected.

2. Elephants Worth More Alive: Research shows that each elephant generates over $1.6 million in tourism income over its lifetime, far surpassing the value of its meat. By culling elephants, Zimbabwe threatens long-term economic and ecological benefits.

3. Culling is Wrong: Culling was stopped globally in the 1980s after it was deemed cruel, unnecessary, unsustainable, damaging to tourism and worsening human-wildlife-conflict. Then there were 1.5m elephants. Today, less than a third of that figure survive.

4. Restarting the Ivory Trade: Zimbabwe's government, ranked among the most corrupt in the world, is collecting ivory with the aim of overturning the CITES ban and resuming sales. Evidence shows lifting this ban would increase demand for ivory, putting remaining elephant populations at even greater risk.

5. Baby Elephant Captures: Zimbabwe has also been involved in capturing and exporting baby elephants, separating them from their families in cruel practices condemned by conservationists globally.

Why Boycotting Zimbabwe Matters:

Elephants are crucial to Zimbabwe’s ecosystems and are a major attraction for tourists, generating billions in tourism revenue. By boycotting Zimbabwe, you send a strong message that wildlife exploitation for short-term gains will not be tolerated by those paying to see it. You are also supporting the citizens of Zimbabwe who oppose these culls and call for sustainable strategies.

Better Choices for Tourists:

Everything Zimbabwe offers can be seen in alternative countries at a fraction of the cost.

Zambia offers a cheaper and ethical alternative to view Victoria Falls, and countries like Malawi and Kenya have banned trophy hunting and prioritise ethical conservation.

What We Ask of Zimbabwe Government:

1. End Barbaric Action: Halt the endless killing and cruelty to wildlife, including elephant culling, baby elephant captures, and attempts to restart the ivory trade.

2. Become a World Citizen: Commit to sustainable, non-exploitative wildlife management - like Kenya , Malawi, and others - to start SUPPORTING tourism and PROTECTING wildlife for future generations.

3. Collaborate for Our Future: Form an alliance with local and international tourism businesses and conservation bodies to review and challenge destructive wildlife plans before they cause further reputational and financial damage to Zimbabwe

By signing this petition, you are taking a stand against Zimbabwe’s unethical treatment of elephants and supporting a future where wildlife thrives for the benefit of future Zimbabweans.