In the face of a devastating drought, Zimbabwe and Namibia have taken drastic measures to combat food shortages, announcing plans to cull hundreds of wild elephants and other animals. Zimbabwe has authorized the killing of 200 elephants, while Namibia has already begun culling over 700 animals, including 83 elephants, as part of a plan unveiled three weeks ago.
The Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority will issue permits to communities in need to hunt elephants, and the agency will also kill some of the allocated 200 animals. This culling is intended to take place in areas like Hwange National Park, located in the country’s arid west, where competition for food and water between humans and wildlife has intensified due to rising temperatures and dwindling resources. Hwange, which currently houses over 45,000 elephants, can only sustain a population of 15,000, according to authorities. The country’s overall elephant population of about 100,000 is twice the carrying capacity of its national parks.
The severe drought, exacerbated by the El Niño weather phenomenon, has worsened the situation, with over 100 elephants succumbing to the drought in December alone. Officials warn that more animals could perish from thirst and hunger in the coming weeks as the country enters its hottest period.
Zimbabwe’s Environment Minister, Sithembiso Nyoni, has defended the culling program, stating that the country has more elephants than it can accommodate. She has outlined a plan to mobilize women to process the meat and distribute it to communities in need.
Namibia’s government has also justified the culling of 723 animals, including elephants, hippos, buffalos, and other species, from five of its national parks, citing the need to manage elephant numbers and mitigate conflict between humans and wildlife.
While Zimbabwe and Namibia have opted for culling, Botswana, which boasts the world’s largest elephant population at 130,000, has not proposed slaughtering its elephants for food.
Guyo Roba, a food security and agricultural expert, acknowledges the challenging situation faced by Zimbabwe and Namibia, stating that their measures are understandable given the extent of the drought and the overpopulation of wildlife. He recognizes the difficult position these governments are in, balancing conservation obligations with the need to support their populations. The culling program has sparked controversy, with some criticizing the practice while others defend it as a necessary step to manage wildlife populations and alleviate food insecurity.
