Zimbabwe is facing a hunger crisis following the worst drought in four decades, and wildlife officials revealed on Tuesday, Sept. 17, that it’s forcing the government to kill 200 elephants to feed an increasingly hungry population. El Niño reportedly wiped out crops and has impacted 68 million people, who are now running low on food as a result.
Wildlife officials said that they are still working out the plans to kill the 200 elephants but say that eventually the meat will be distributed to communities most in need.
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Zimbabwe is home to more than 84,000 elephants, which is one of the largest populations in the world. However, with a severe drought, the fight for resources is getting scarcer, resulting in human and animal conflicts. Elephants reportedly attacked and killed 50 people last year in the country.
The cull would be the first in Zimbabwe since 1988 and follows Namibia’s lead last month to cull more than 700 animals including elephants, hippos and buffalo.
Zimbabwe has been commended for its conservation efforts with elephants. However, the country has reportedly been pushing the United Nations to lift restrictions on the trade of ivory and live elephants. Zimbabwe currently has around $600,000 worth of ivory it cannot sell because of international restrictions.
