Controversial plans to import a group of wild caught African elephant calves to a leading tourist attraction in China, have taken a step towards becoming a reality.

Animal welfare charity Animals Asia believes the group of young elephants, brutally captured and removed from their families in the wild as calves in Zimbabwe, are likely to be brought to China - and it could happen in a matter weeks.

The recent completion of a quarantine facility at Qingyuan, Guangdong province, paves the way for their imminent arrival. This is despite Animals Asia campaigning against plans to move the elephants from Zimbabwe to a Chinese safari park.

A report from the Quarantine and Inspection Bureau, obtained by a Qingyuan Daily News journalist, states that the first phase of the project - completion of the quarantine facility - is now complete. This is in line with “plans to introduce before July the African elephant”.

Animals Asia Animals Welfare Director, Dave Neale, condemned the plans as morally reprehensible:

“Animals Asia has long campaigned against any capture and import of wild elephants - as far back as 2009 we and other agencies wrote opposition letters to the Zimbabwe and Chinese governments imploring them to stop the cruel practice. Sadly these beautiful animals now face more despair thanks to a life in captivity and the possibility of being forced to perform in the name of entertainment. It comes at a time when internationally there is increased acceptance that animal performance is cruel, unnatural and outdated.”

Chimelong Safari Park was formerly known as Xiangjiang and is also referred to as Changlong. In 2009 David Neale, along with Jill Robinson, Founder and CEO of Animals Asia, carried out an investigation into practices at the park.

In 2012, four wild caught calves were imported into China - and within months three of them died. The fourth survived but now lives a solitary life at Taiyuan Zoo. And the practice continues despite the elephants being listed as a protected species by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

David said: “We will continue to push for the plans to import these elephants to be stopped – just as we are pushing for an end to the brutal capture and removal of animals from their natural family groups everywhere.

“This kind of cruelty is not the future – there is no reason to condemn these animals to a miserable life in captivity, and possible death due to the suffering they are likely to endure.

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