Zimbabwe Hippos may be Downgraded to CITES Appendix I
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| Following percptions that
Zimbabwe's controversial land reform and resettlement programs may be having
adverse impacts on the nation's wildlife, non-government organizations are
initiating proposals to the 154-nation strong Convention on International
Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) to downgrade Zimbabwe's populations
of elephants, hippos, lions, and cheetahs to Appendix I. Under
an Appendix I listing, the export of a species or products derived from a
species is prohibited.
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Mr. George Pangeti, chief executive officer
of the Zimbabwe Association of Tour and Safari Operators said some of these
proposals threatened to kill the local hunting industry. Such a step
was claimed to make it impossible for Zimbabwe to benefit from its game.
In previous years, various animal rights groups have also come into
conflict with the wildlife policies of Zimbabwe. Mr. Vitalis Chadenga,
deputy director (research) of the National Parks and Wildlife Management
Authority said his organization would carry out surveys to show these species
were not endangered in his country.
Sources: The Herald of Zimbabwe (via
AllAfrica.com Online) - 14 March 2002 |
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