A legalized hunt that will lead to the extermination of 2 hippos over the next five years in the Luangwa Valley, Zambia. Legalized because it was authorized by the government 'to stop a possible spread of anthrax'.
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him
A legalized hunt that will lead to the extermination of 2 thousand hippos in the next five years in the Luangwa Valley, Zambia. Legalized because it was authorized by the government 'to stop a possible spread of anthrax'.
Each hunter will be able to shoot five hippos: the declaration of war on the hippos is tempting to Umlilo Safaris, the safari company that will offer the opportunity to arm themselves with sniper rifles and shoot animals.
The announcement has already appeared on the company's Facebook page and there are those who comment: 'Can I take something away?' 'Yes, the fangs'.
“In a shocking and covert move, the Zambian authorities overturned their 2016 decision to suspend the brutal culling. Our sources reveal that the government moved quickly to restore the culling, perhaps hoping this would go unnoticed, "he explains. Will Travers OBE, president Free Born the animal conservation agency.
The official rationale is to prevent any future outbreaks of anthrax, a potentially deadly disease caused by soil-dwelling bacteria. Hippos are susceptible to infection and can pass it on to humans who eat infected meat.
But can a massacre be legalized for fear that there may be an epidemic in the future? The hunts will take place from June until the end of October and will continue until 2022.
“They are using the same method that was implemented in the past. Appeal for a preventive measure. They also appear not to have informed key stakeholders in the Luangwa Valley, including the Luangwa Safari Association and the District Commissioner. The negative consequences for thousands of hippos and Zambia's reputation as a wildlife tourism destination cannot be underestimated, ”continues Will Travers OBE.
Hippo is on the red list
Recall that hippos are listed as "vulnerable" in the IUCN Red List (International Union for Conservation of Nature) with an estimated population of only 115-130 thousand animals.
According to Born Free, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife has provided no evidence of hippo overpopulation in the Luangwa River or that previous culls have brought benefits. It has not yet provided scientific evidence a massacre could prevent an anthrax outbreak.
The clear data, however, are those on the risk that hippos will disappear in a few years. Also according to the conservation body, in the last decade (until 2016), over 6 thousand hippos have been hunted. International trade records show that about 2004 kg of hippo ivory was imported into Hong Kong between 2014 and 60.
Read also:
- The sad fate of 100 hippos found dead in a river in Namibia
- Melissa Bachman: the lion hunter who is indignant on the web (petitions)
Dominella Trunfio
