Exhibition celebrates elephants
ENVIRONMENT ministry deputy director Robert Mutepfa has called on stakeholders in the wildlife sector to join hands in the campaign to preserve the elephant population, which faces extinction due to rampant poaching.
Speaking during an exhibition of over 30 metal elephant sculptures created and painted by local artists at Wild is Life Sanctuary in Harare this week, Mutepfa described the gigantic mammals as “iconic species” and “a major tourist attraction” that needed to be preserved.
He said stakeholders, including government, the private sector, development agencies and local communities, needed to close ranks and ensure the country maintained a healthy elephant population.
Mutepfa said although Zimbabwe is home to the second largest elephant population in the world after Botswana, the animals remained under threat from poaching.
“Elephants represent what is noble and pure in the world. Their ancient wisdom is a lesson and inspiration to our own species. Elephants are kind, loving, caring animals that are equally fierce and protective when they need to be. We have a lot to learn from them,” he said.
The initiative was meant to showcase local artistic talent and highlight local passion and commitment to elephant conservation in Zimbabwe.
Dubbed One by One — Elephant Strong, the exhibition was well-attended and guests had the opportunity to enjoy some entertainment provided by the Prince Edward School Jazz Band.
The showcase ran concurrently with a “silent auction” in which members of the public could offer to purchase any of the pieces, with the funds being channelled to elephant conservation and protection initiatives in the country run by the Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery, Zimbabwe National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Friends of Hwange.
