In what may be considered a referendum on the chaotic rule of dictator Robert Mugabe {Zimbabwe Victorious?, 9.15.09}, four hundred elephants have crossed the Zambezi River from Zimbabwe into Zambia. Three elephants have wandered into the outskirts of Mutare, a border town. Wildlife authorities want to shoot the elephants unless conservationists come up with the money to relocate the disturbed pachyderms. As Zimbabwe's economy and social structure melts down, humans are encroaching into areas reserved for wildlife in search of food, firewood and security just like the elephants. Tourism has collapsed, putting a severe strain on the country's conservation infrastructure. Mugabe has consistently blamed the West, particularly the United States, for his nation's self-inflicted penury and chaos. He recently referred to the senior U.S. diplomat for Africa, himself an African-American, as an "idiot". Mugabe called his predecessor a "prostitute", and the former American ambassador in Harare a "house negro". Scapegoating is a poor substitute for good government.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Elephants Vote With Their Feet
In what may be considered a referendum on the chaotic rule of dictator Robert Mugabe {Zimbabwe Victorious?, 9.15.09}, four hundred elephants have crossed the Zambezi River from Zimbabwe into Zambia. Three elephants have wandered into the outskirts of Mutare, a border town. Wildlife authorities want to shoot the elephants unless conservationists come up with the money to relocate the disturbed pachyderms. As Zimbabwe's economy and social structure melts down, humans are encroaching into areas reserved for wildlife in search of food, firewood and security just like the elephants. Tourism has collapsed, putting a severe strain on the country's conservation infrastructure. Mugabe has consistently blamed the West, particularly the United States, for his nation's self-inflicted penury and chaos. He recently referred to the senior U.S. diplomat for Africa, himself an African-American, as an "idiot". Mugabe called his predecessor a "prostitute", and the former American ambassador in Harare a "house negro". Scapegoating is a poor substitute for good government.