ELEPHANTS FLEE TROUBLED ZIMBABWE

Harare - Conservationists say growing pressure from poaching and human encroachment has driven hundreds of elephants across Zimbabwe's borders.

The independent Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force is appealing for more action - and money - to preserve the troubled nation's wildlife.

The task force says Zimbabwe's economic meltdown has seen humans encroach more and more into areas previously reserved for wildlife. There has been reports in the past of elephants being shot for food as hunger ravages across rural Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe's severe food shortages have been felt worst in the rural areas while meat is a luxury in most households.

A report on elephants published in late 2007 noted that 900 elephant carcasses had been seen from the air over Chisarira Park in the northwestern region of Zimbabwe. The official who compiled the report said there were more carcasses than live animals in the park.

In a report on Monday, members of the task force said three elephants also roamed into an eastern Zimbabwean city and hungry leopards stalked an upscale suburb of the capital, Harare.

- AP and Simba Nembaware