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JOHANNESBURG – As Zimbabwe’s economy struggles, the government is preparing for a controversial export program. Hundreds of the country’s elephants could soon be shipped to China – a deal potentially worth millions of dollars.

The killing of Cecil the lion attracted little attention within Zimbabwe, despite an international outcry. But the elephant deal is becoming far more controversial, seen by critics as a desperate attempt to sell off precious natural resources.

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The Zimbabwe Independent reported last week that 24 of the country’s elephants have already reached China and 170 are due to be shipped soon.

“The baby elephants, which are between two-and-a-half and five years old, are being given limited feeding as part of the preparations,” the newspaper reported. The government has confirmed that 24 elephants have already been shipped to China, but has not said how many more are on the way.