The Sunday Mail
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service embargo on Zimbabwe’s sport-hunted African elephant trophies, imposed early this year, has seen the country lose millions of dollars in potential revenue from the tourism sector.
The import ban resulted in the number of tourists from the Western countries mainly, United States, shying away from Zimbabwe for trophy hunting.
Before the restrictions, the country hosted more than 1 000 tourists from Texas with thousands more coming from other European countries and Asia.
United States offers the highest prices for elephant trophies and the ban has seen tourists migrate to other African countries for the treasure.
Speaking during a recent media tour at Hwange National park, ZPWMA acting director for conservation Mr Goefferys Matipano said the country was now identifying other markets.
“The ban (by United States) has seen elephant hunting tourists dwindle over the past year. We had a good market with citizens from Texas,” he said.
“The United States is also pushing other Western countries to shun our elephant trophies.
“However, we now have witnessed an interest from tourists in countries such as France, China, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“We have 45 000 adult elephants and 30 000 calves and a calf costs a minimum $30 000.”
Zimbabwe elephant herd has grown over the years to about 80 000 while the country has a carrying capacity of about 20 000.
