Drought drives desperate measures in Zimbabwe as Govt plan to slaughter 200 elephants to fight hunger

September 19, 2024

By Samuel Ogunsona

The Zimbabwe Government in a move to desperate bid to alleviate the worst drought in four decades has announced plans to slaughter 200 elephants to feed hungry communities.

The severe El Niño-induced drought has left 68 million people facing food shortages across southern Africa, with Zimbabwe among the hardest-hit countries.

The Government hopes that the elephant meat will provide relief to affected areas.

Environment Minister Sithembiso Nyoni justified the decision, citing the country’s oversaturated elephant population. “Our forests can only sustain 15,000 elephants, but we have 45,000 in Hwange National Park alone.”

However, conservationists have expressed concerns about the impact on Zimbabwe’s elephant population and tourism.

Farai Maguwu, director of the Centre for Natural Resource Governance, argued, “There are more sustainable, eco-friendly solutions to address the drought.”

The World Wildlife Fund suggests alternatives like translocation, conflict mitigation, and breeding regulations.

Neighboring Namibia has also approved the culling of over 700 wild animals, including 83 elephants, due to drought-related challenges.