Editor-DN
Zimbabwe’s elephant population is over 84,000, almost double its estimated capacity of 45,000.
Authorities in Zimbabwe have authorized the slaughter of 200 elephants to feed hungry citizens who have been starved by the worst drought in decades. Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority spokesperson Tinashe Farao said CNN “We are aiming to kill 200 elephants,” he said, adding that nearly half of the country’s population is at risk of starvation.
The decision follows recent moves by Namibia to cull elephants and other wildlife to exacerbate food insecurity due to prolonged drought. These killings have drawn criticism from animal rights advocates and conservationists.
According to Pharoah, Zimbabwe has an elephant population of more than 84,000, almost double its estimated capacity of 45,000. It is the second largest globally after Botswana.
Last week, Environment Minister Sithembiso Nyoni informed Parliament that Zimbabwe has more elephants and more forests than it needs. He noted that overpopulation of elephants leads to resource scarcity, which exacerbates human-wildlife conflicts.
Nyuni added that the government is considering strategies similar to Namibia’s, including counting elephants and organizing communities, particularly women, to store and distribute the meat in protein-deficient areas.
“When wildlife becomes overpopulated in a park, they move beyond it in search of resources such as water or vegetation. This brings them into contact with humans and creates conflicts,” Niuni explained. Gives birth,” explains Nyuni.
In Namibia, the government authorized the killing of 700 wild animals, including elephants, for distribution to people facing food shortages. According to Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, 150 animals have been killed so far, and more than 125,000 pounds of meat has been distributed.
Zimbabwe and Namibia are among the southern African countries that are experiencing severe droughts due to El Nino and climate change.
Zimbabwe’s Parks Authority spokesman, Farao, said harvesting would begin once the required documents were finalized. The slaughter will target areas with dense elephant populations.
However, these proposed elephants have faced stiff opposition.
Fry Magu, head of the Zimbabwe-based Center for Natural Resource Governance, condemned the practice on X, saying, “The killing of elephants must stop. Elephants have a right to live,” adding that future generations of elephants deserve to be seen in their natural environment. Housing
The killing of elephants must stop. Some are looking for an opportunity to sell ivory, illegally – with these private jets flown in week in, week out. The way minerals are being looted, we will soon have no elephants to speak of. Get your hands off our wildlife!
— Fry Maguwu (@FMaguwu) September 15, 2024
Keith Lindsay, a conservation biologist and natural resources consultant, also expressed concern that using wildlife to address food insecurity could lead to unsustainable demand for bushmeat.
Pharoah defended the cull, Zimbabwe’s first since 1988, as part of a broader effort to reduce human-elephant conflict following deadly elephant attacks.
“Animals are causing major problems in communities, killing people. Just last week a woman was killed by an elephant in the northern part of the country. The same thing happened the week before. So killing is also controlled. There is a way,” he said.
At least 31 people have died in Zimbabwe this year due to human-wildlife conflicts, local media reported.
