Wednesday, 18 September 2024 04:44

Zimbabwe to slaughter 200 elephants to feed hungry citizens

Rate this item
(0 votes)

Zimbabwe plans to cull 200 elephants to feed communities facing acute hunger after the worst drought in four decades, wildlife authorities said on Tuesday.

The El Nino-induced drought wiped out crops in southern Africa, impacting 68 million people and causing food shortages across the region.

"We can confirm that we are planning to cull about 200 elephants across the country. We are working on modalities on how we are going to do it," Tinashe Farawo, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (Zimparks) spokesperson, told Reuters.

He said the elephant meat would be distributed to communities in Zimbabwe affected by the drought.

The cull, the first in the country since 1988, will take place in Hwange, Mbire, Tsholotsho and Chiredzi districts. It follows neighbouring Namibia's decision last month to cull 83 elephants and distribute meat to people impacted by the drought.

More than 200,000 elephants are estimated to live in a conservation area spread over five southern African countries - Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Angola and Namibia - making the region home to one of the largest elephant populations worldwide.

Farawo said the culling is also part of the country's efforts to decongest its parks, which can only sustain 55,000 elephants. Zimbabwe is home to over 84,000 elephants.

"It's an effort to decongest the parks in the face of drought. The numbers are just a drop in the ocean because we are talking of 200 (elephants) and we are sitting on plus 84,000, which is big," he said.

With such a severe drought, human-wildlife conflicts can escalate as resources become scarcer. Last year Zimbabwe lost 50 people to elephant attacks.

The country, which is lauded for its conservation efforts and growing its elephant population, has been lobbying the U.N.'s Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to reopen trade of ivory and live elephants.

With one of the largest elephant populations, Zimbabwe has about $600 million worth of ivory stockpiles which it cannot sell.

 

Reuters

January 20, 2025

Here’s what a good boss does during a company crisis

Art Markman It’s easy to be in a leadership role during good times. You’re the…
January 20, 2025

Trump promises historic start to his second presidency during victory rally

President-elect Donald Trump pledged an unprecedented start to his administration during a Victory Rally in…
January 19, 2025

3 reasons it's hard to make friends as you get older

When I first moved to New York City, it took me about a year to…
January 18, 2025

Vandals plunge Nigeria’s seat of power into darkness

In a spectacle befitting a nation where irony is never in short supply, the Presidential…
January 18, 2025

Oba Otudeko flees Nigeria as EFCC tightens noose

In a dramatic twist, Oba Otudeko, former chairman of First Bank of Nigeria (FBN), has…
January 20, 2025

Here’s the latest as Israel-Hamas war enters Day 472

Hamas frees hostages, Israel releases Palestinian prisoners on day one of ceasefire Hamas released three…
December 25, 2024

Stem cell therapy to correct heart failure in children could 'transform lives'

Renowned visionary English physician William Harvey wrote in 1651 about how our blood contains all…
January 08, 2025

NFF appoints new Super Eagles head coach

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Éric Sékou Chelle as the new Head Coach…

NEWSSCROLL TEAM: 'Sina Kawonise: Publisher/Editor-in-Chief; Prof Wale Are Olaitan: Editorial Consultant; Femi Kawonise: Head, Production & Administration; Afolabi Ajibola: IT Manager;
Contact Us: [email protected] Tel/WhatsApp: +234 811 395 4049

Copyright © 2015 - 2025 NewsScroll. All rights reserved.