KEY POINTS
- Zimbabwe will cull 200 elephants to combat hunger from a severe drought.
- The elephant meat will be distributed to affected communities.
- This is the first cull in Zimbabwe since 1988, part of efforts to decongest national parks.
Zimbabwe has announced plans to cull 200 elephants to provide food for communities facing severe hunger caused by the worst drought in four decades.
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (Zimparks) revealed the move on Tuesday, stating that the drought, induced by the El Niño phenomenon, has left millions in southern Africa grappling with food shortages.
The cull, which will take place in Hwange, Mbire, Tsholotsho, and Chiredzi districts, marks the first since 1988. The elephant meat will be distributed to the most affected communities.
Drought’s impact on food security
Zimbabwe’s decision follows a similar move by neighboring Namibia, which culled 83 elephants last month for the same purpose. The drought has wiped out crops across southern Africa, affecting around 68 million people.
Communities have faced escalating food insecurity, and human-wildlife conflicts have risen as resources dwindle. Zimbabwe recorded 50 deaths from elephant attacks last year alone.
With more than 84,000 elephants, Zimbabwe is home to one of the largest elephant populations in Africa, though its national parks are only equipped to sustain about 55,000 elephants.
According to Zimparks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo, the planned cull aims to reduce the population pressure on parks, which are already under strain due to the drought.
“This culling operation is part of our broader effort to decongest the parks. The numbers we are targeting are a drop in the ocean compared to the over 84,000 elephants we have,” Farawo said.
Wildlife conservation challenges
The drought has also highlighted Zimbabwe’s ongoing struggle with its large elephant population. While the country is recognized for its successful conservation efforts, the growing number of elephants has led to calls for the reopening of international trade in ivory and live elephants.
According to Reuters, Zimbabwe has stockpiled about $600 million worth of ivory, but it is restricted from selling it due to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) regulations.
Farawo emphasized that despite the challenges, Zimbabwe remains committed to conservation while ensuring that the needs of its people are met, especially during times of crisis.
As the country braces for more difficult months ahead, wildlife authorities and local communities hope that this move will help alleviate some of the immediate food security concerns while managing elephant populations responsibly.
