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Article: Voiceless victims face extinction in another Zimbabwe land battle
- Article from:
- The Scotsman
- Article date:
- May 20, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2002 The Scotsman. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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WILDLIFE experts believe that up to 600,000 animals have been
poached in Zimbabwe since the launch of President Robert Mugabe's
land invasion programme two years ago.
The ongoing slaughter, which includes supposedly protected species
such as black rhinoceros, has wiped out an estimated 60 per cent of
wildlife on privately owned game ranches and conservancies.
Such areas have been overrun by thousands of settlers, who have
stripped away game fences and used the wire to make snares, using the
meat either for subsistence amid increasing hunger caused by food
shortages, or for commercial sale.
"This country's natural heritage is being decimated," said Johnny