Elephant hunts in Zimbabwe criticized

HARARE, Zimbabwe, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- Animal rights activists say little of the money paid by hunters to kill elephants in national parks in Zimbabwe is being used for conservation efforts.

"Because of the corruption and financial situation I would be surprised if anything at all reached conservation or communities," said Michael Wamithi, spokesman for the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

Hunters pay more than $10,000 each to participate in elephant culls, where the whole herd, including baby elephants, are killed, said Will Travers of the Born Free Foundation.

"These days it takes something pretty extraordinary to shock and distress as far as Zimbabwe is concerned," Travers said. "But news of the slaughter of elephants inside national parks still has the power to make you sick to your stomach."

The elephants strip areas of foliage and monopolize water supplies and killing the herd is the most effective method of population control, Peter Carr, a professional hunt organizer, told The Times of London in a story reported Sunday.