Zimbabwe’s wildlife authority has announced plans to cull approximately 200 elephants as part of efforts to address food shortages caused by severe drought. The El Nino-driven drought has ravaged crops across southern Africa, with the World Food Programme projecting that 7.6 million Zimbabweans will face food insecurity from January to April next year.
The culling has sparked criticism from conservationists, who argue that alternative methods should be explored to support those in need. Additionally, some are concerned about the potential negative impact on tourism, as elephants are a significant attraction for visitors.
Authorities justify the culling as a necessary measure to manage the country’s elephant overpopulation, with over 84,000 elephants currently exceeding the park’s capacity. The culling plan is also intended to alleviate pressure on Zimbabwe’s national parks.
This decision follows a similar move by neighboring Namibia, which recently culled dozens of animals, including 83 elephants, due to its own severe drought. Namibia plans to kill hundreds more as part of its drought response.
