Relocation of wild African elephants to China hailed

Relocating more wild African elephants from Zimbabwe to China in the near future will help protect the animals, as they will be in a better and safer environment, a high-ranking Zimbabwean official said.

"We are happy to see that young African elephants have been well accommodated here in China. They look very healthy and energetic," said Oppah Muchinguri, Zimbabwe's environmental minister, during a visit to a rare plants and animals center in Qingyuan, Guangdong province.

Early last year, 25 young African elephants were imported from Zimbabwe to the center as part of an international African elephant conservation program.