Zimbabwe’s Controversial Decision to Cull Elephants Amid Drought Crisis

Zimbabwe to Allow Controversial Culling of Elephants Amid Drought Crisis

Zimbabwe is set to controversially permit the culling of 200 elephants for the first time since 1988, a decision driven by urgent concerns over food shortages exacerbated by a severe drought. The country’s environment minister recently stated during a parliamentary hearing that Zimbabwe has “more elephants than it needs,” highlighting the growing conflict between wildlife and human livelihoods.

Reports from local media indicate that hunters have been instructed to target 200 elephants. The culling will primarily occur in regions where there have been significant clashes between elephants and local communities, particularly in Hwange, which is home to Zimbabwe’s largest game reserve. Fulton Mangwanya, the head of the Parks and Wildlife Authority, emphasized this point during discussions about the initiative.

In an effort to address the pressing food insecurity, officials are looking to Namibia’s previous experiences with elephant culling for human consumption as a model. The plan involves drying the meat, packaging it, and distributing it to communities facing severe food shortages. The World Food Programme has reported that Zimbabwe is currently experiencing its worst drought in over 40 years, leading to widespread crop failures and inadequate harvests across many regions.

Impact on Farmers

A poignant illustration of the crisis can be seen in the struggles of local farmers. For instance, James Tshuma, a farmer in the Mangwe district of southwest Zimbabwe, has been left standing amid his desiccated crop fields, a stark reminder of the harsh realities brought about by the ongoing drought.

Concerns Over Culling

Despite the potential benefits of addressing food shortages, a number of experts and animal rights activists have voiced strong concerns about the elephant cull. They argue that this action could adversely affect Zimbabwe’s international image, potentially deterring tourists from visiting the country. This is particularly significant as Zimbabwe is home to approximately 100,000 elephants, which is the second-largest population globally, trailing only Botswana.

The World Wildlife Fund provides alarming statistics, noting that only about 415,000 elephants remain across the African continent, a dramatic decline from three to five million at the beginning of the 20th century. Both Asian and African elephants are classified as endangered, with the exception of populations in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, where they are considered “vulnerable.”