Zimbabwe will cull 200 elephants to cope with food shortages caused by the worst drought in decades in southern Africa, the wildlife authority announced Friday, following the example of Namibia.
The country has “more elephants than it needs,” Zimbabwe’s Environment Minister Sithembiso Nyoni told parliament on Wednesday, adding that she had ordered the country’s Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZimParks) to carry out the cull.
The 200 elephants will be hunted in the Hwange Nature Reserve, the largest in the country, ZimParks CEO Fulton Mangwanya told AFP.
Zimbabwe is estimated to have around 100,000 elephants, the second largest population in the world after Botswana.
ZimParks says there are 65,000 of the mammals in Hwange alone – four times as many as the park can accommodate.
“We will do what Namibia has done before, which is to cull the elephants and mobilise our local women to collect the meat and dry it to benefit the communities as a protein food,” Minister Nyoni said, noting that the cull will be carried out legally and will help decongest the country’s landscapes, as well as reduce conflicts between people and wild animals.
This is the second such exercise Zimbabwe has undertaken since independence from Britain in 1980, the first being in 1988. Including that exercise and others since 1965, some 50,000 elephants have been killed in the country.
In early September, Namibia announced it had begun culling more than 700 wild animals – including 83 elephants – to feed people suffering from hunger as a result of the worst drought in decades caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon. The aim was not only to provide meat for thousands of people, but also to relieve pressure on water resources depleted by the drought, the government said.
Both Namibia and Zimbabwe are among the southern African countries that have declared a state of emergency due to drought.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) estimates that there are only about 415,000 elephants left on the continent (compared to 3-5 million at the beginning of the 20th century). Asian and African elephants are considered endangered, with the exception of populations in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe, which are considered only “vulnerable”.
Meanwhile, more than 30 million people in southern Africa have been affected by the severe drought caused by El Niño, the United Nations reported in early June, calling for help to prevent them from suffering from food insecurity.
The growing impact of this weather phenomenon has led to a severe rainfall deficit in southern Africa, with temperatures five degrees above average. In fact, the region experienced its driest February in 100 years in 2024, receiving only 20% of the usual rainfall expected for this period.
Even before the drought, levels of food insecurity and humanitarian need were high, driven by socio-economic challenges, high food prices and the exacerbated consequences of the climate crisis. Angola, South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe are grappling with the impact of the drought, with the latter four declaring states of emergency over the issue.
With information from Infobae
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2024-09-14 21:47:23
– Why is Zimbabwe culling 200 elephants amid food shortages?
Table of Contents
Zimbabwe to Cull 200 Elephants to Combat Food Shortages Amid Devastating Drought
In a bid to alleviate the crippling food shortages caused by the worst drought in decades in southern Africa, Zimbabwe has announced plans to cull 200 elephants in the Hwange Nature Reserve, the country’s largest wildlife sanctuary. This drastic measure is part of a broader strategy to address the severe drought that has left millions of people in the region struggling to access basic necessities like food and water.
A Nation Overwhelmed by Elephants
According to Zimbabwe’s Environment Minister Sithembiso Nyoni, the country is home to an estimated 100,000 elephants, the second-largest population worldwide after Botswana. However, the minister asserts that Zimbabwe has “more elephants than it needs,” with 65,000 of these majestic creatures inhabiting the Hwange Nature Reserve alone – four times the park’s capacity.
Following in Namibia’s Footsteps
Zimbabwe’s decision to cull elephants is not unprecedented. Namibia, another southern African country, recently implemented a similar program, culling over 700 wild animals, including 83 elephants, to feed people suffering from hunger and alleviate pressure on water resources depleted by the drought. Zimbabwe aims to replicate this approach, with Minister Nyoni stating that the cull will be carried out legally and will help decongest the country’s landscapes, reducing conflicts between humans and wildlife while providing a vital source of protein for local communities.
Decongesting Landscapes and Reducing Conflicts
The cull, to be carried out by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZimParks), is expected to create a more balanced ecosystem, reducing the strain on resources and minimizing human-wildlife conflicts. This move is also seen as a means to provide relief to local communities, who will benefit from the elephant meat and hides.
A Regional Crisis
The severe drought affecting southern Africa has left millions of people in dire straits, with the United Nations estimating that over 30 million people have been affected by the crisis. Zimbabwe and Namibia are among the countries that have declared a state of emergency due to the drought, which has led to a severe rainfall deficit and temperatures five degrees above average.
Conservation Concerns
While the decision to cull elephants may seem drastic, it is essential to acknowledge the gravity of the situation and the need for urgent action. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) estimates that there are only around 415,000 elephants left on the African continent, down from 3-5 million at the beginning of the 20th century. While Asian and African elephants are considered endangered, the exception lies in populations in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, which are classified as “vulnerable.”
A Call to Action
As the effects of climate change continue to exacerbate regional crises like the devastating drought in southern Africa, it is essential for governments, international organizations, and local communities to work together to find sustainable solutions. The plight of the elephant population serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between humans and the natural world.
Keywords: Zimbabwe, elephant culling, food shortages, drought, southern Africa, Namibia, wildlife conservation, human-wildlife conflict, environmental crisis, climate change.
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What are the reasons behind Zimbabwe’s decision to cull 200 elephants amid drought conditions?
Zimbabwe to Cull 200 Elephants to Combat Food Shortages Amid Devastating Drought
In a bid to alleviate the crippling food shortages caused by the worst drought in decades in southern Africa, Zimbabwe has announced plans to cull 200 elephants from the Hwange Nature Reserve, the largest in the country. This drastic measure comes as the country grapples with the devastating consequences of the drought, which has left millions without access to sufficient food.
The Elephant Population Conundrum
Zimbabwe is home to an estimated 100,000 elephants, the second-largest population in the world after Botswana. However, according to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZimParks), the Hwange Nature Reserve alone has a staggering 65,000 elephants, four times its carrying capacity. This has led to concerns about the impact of the elephant population on the environment and human settlements.
Following in Namibia’s Footsteps
Zimbabwe is taking a cue from Namibia, which recently culled over 700 wild animals, including 83 elephants, to mitigate the effects of the drought. The meat from the culled animals was distributed to local communities as a source of protein-rich food. Zimbabwe’s Environment Minister, Sithembiso Nyoni, has announced that the country will adopt a similar approach, with the culled elephants providing a much-needed source of nutrition for local communities.
A History of Elephant Culling in Zimbabwe
This is not the first time Zimbabwe has undertaken an elephant culling exercise. In 1988, the country culled elephants for the first time since gaining independence from Britain in 1980. Since 1965, a total of 50,000 elephants have been killed in the country.
The Devastating Impact of Drought in Southern Africa
The drought affecting southern Africa has been exacerbated by the El Niño weather phenomenon, leading to a severe rainfall deficit in the region. Temperatures have been five degrees above average, with February 2024 being the driest in 100 years, receiving only 20% of the usual rainfall expected for the period. The drought has resulted in food insecurity, with over 30 million people affected across the region.
The Region’s Humanitarian Crisis
The drought has only added to the existing socio-economic challenges, high food prices, and the consequences of the climate crisis. Angola, South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have all declared states of emergency due to the drought. The United Nations has called for urgent assistance to prevent further suffering and food insecurity.
The Global Elephant Crisis
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) estimates that there are only around 415,000 elephants left on the African continent, a drastic decline from the 3-5 million that roamed the continent at the beginning of the 20th century. Asian and African elephants are considered endangered, with the exception of populations in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, which are considered “vulnerable.”
Conclusion
The decision to cull 200 elephants in Zimbabwe is a desperate measure aimed at alleviating the crippling food shortages caused by the devastating drought in southern Africa. While the move is controversial, it highlights the urgent need for sustainable solutions to address the region’s environmental and humanitarian crises. As the world grapples with the consequences of climate change, it is essential to adopt innovative approaches to conserve wildlife populations while ensuring the well-being of local communities.
Keywords: Zimbabwe, elephant culling, food shortages, drought, southern Africa, Namibia, wildlife conservation, environmental crisis, humanitarian crisis.
