Deportation for endangered tortoise eaters

Four Chinese nationals in Zimbabwe have pleaded guilty to engaging in the mass slaughter of endangered tortoises which they were killing for their daily food. The Chinese immigrants were found guilty of contravening the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act Chapter 19-09. The four nationals Zhang Hong Yuan, Chen Caijan, Lin Guibin and Shi Jiahua resided at Chiwara Homestead located near Gambakwe Village in Bikita. They had bought Bells Hinged Tortoises from the local community for personal consumption.



The Bells Hinged Tortoise is listed under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) Appendix II and its numbers in the wild have dwindled significantly over recent years. On the 28th December 2011, following reports from the local community, Scouts from the National Parks & Wildlife Management Authority together with The Save Valley Conservancy Anti-Poaching Unit conducted a raid at the residence of the Chinese men. The Raid recovered 13 live tortoises together with the skeletal remains of a further 40.

The tortoises had been stored in two empty 200 litre steel drums with no provisions for food or water. Stagnant water and faecal matter was evident as was overcrowding. Written statements from members of the community stated that the tortoises were dropped into boiling water whilst alive in order to separate the shell from the meat. Tortoise meat was also recovered during the raid. The extreme cruelty of such actions are a clear violation of the Animal Welfare Act as defined.



When interviewed the four Chinese all admitted guilt in contravening the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. The men were consequently arrested and fined. Further investigations revealed that they had been employed locally without relevant immigration documentation. The four men have since been arrested are now detained in a state security prison pending deportation.