American Zoos Apply for Elephants from Swaziland

in Animal News on November 24, 2015

The Dallas Zoo, on behalf of itself and two other American zoos, filed an application with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeking to import 18 African elephants from Swaziland in southern Africa. Proponents claim that African elephants are supposedly destroying vegetation and habitats in two national parks that support other species with higher conservation value, like vultures and rhinos. However, opponents to the imports say the zoos’ narrative is misleading. “The problem was not solved 10 years ago by doing the same exact thing,” said Adam M. Roberts, CEO of Born Free USA and Born Free Foundation. “History shows us removing wild elephants from Swaziland into American zoos actually does nothing to benefit the rhino population.”

Link: The Wichita Eagle

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