Illegal occupiers in Zimbabwe kill hundreds of animals in nature reserve, say conservationists
By APFriday, September 24, 2010
Zimbabwe illegal occupiers destroy animal reserve
HARARE, Zimbabwe — A conservation group says illegal occupiers on an animal reserve in southern Zimbabwe have killed hundreds of animals and torn down several miles (kilometers) of protective fencing.
Investigators of the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force who visited the reserve near the southern border town of Beit Bridge reported Friday the occupiers slaughtered 300 zebras for their skins in the last two months. Seven African antelope were killed this week.
The group said the owner of the reserve won a court order to evict the occupiers but it was ignored.
Four miles (7 kilometers) of specialized 16-strand game fencing — 70 miles (112 kilometers) of wire in all — were stolen to make animal traps and snares, the group said.
