HARARE, Jul 9 (NewsDay Live) - The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) says plans are afoot to translocate dozens of giraffes, hyenas, zebras, wild dogs and cheetahs to Equatorial Guinea under a government-to-government conservation cooperation arrangement between the two nations.
In a statement, ZimParks said the arrangement is to restore selected wildlife populations and strengthen biodiversity conservation within Equatorial Guinea’s protected areas.
Ecological and habitat suitability assessments have already been conducted confirming that the new environment is suitable for the animals, ZimParks said.
“Their removal has been guided by scientific assessments to ensure there is no adverse impact on Zimbabwe's biodiversity, ecological integrity or wildlife populations.
“The species being translocated are not threatened or endangered. The capture, handling, and transportation processes are being carried out by experienced wildlife professionals in accordance with Zimbabwe's law, internationally accepted animal welfare standards, and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animals Regulations, said the authority.
This comes amid reports of increased cases of human-wildlife conflict over shrinking natural habitat and depleted water sources in most parts of Zimbabwe.
