Zimbabwe to cull 200 elephants to feed people left hungry by drought

[OKIsItJustMe]

Source: Reuters

Zimbabwe to cull 200 elephants to feed people left hungry by drought
By Nyasha Chingono
September 17, 2024 10:42 AM EDT

HARARE, Sept 17 (Reuters) - 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.

…

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.

…

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/zimbabwe-cull-200-elephants-feed-people-left-hungry-by-drought-2024-09-17/

[sinkingfeeling]

1. There has to be a better way to feed people. I have a video of a massive herd of

elephants crossing the road in Hwang.

[LT Barclay]

6. It's called swallowing pride and asking for help

[byronius]

2. Why not just 'cull' some people?

Hell, they can have some of our GOP.

[colorado_ufo]

9. Drought means less vegetation for the elephants.

They will die slowly of starvation, if the numbers are not reduced. Heartbreaking.

[LymphocyteLover]

11. heartbreaking indeed... horrible to think of slaughtering 200 of those magnificent animals much less to eat them

I wonder how many elephants they have in the country?

[KS Toronado]

3. Shame they couldn't find a way to get beans & grains to their people.

That much meat will require a lot of refrigeration which could be a problem in itself.

[Martin68]

5. Meat can be smoked to preserve it.

[Martin68]

4. I love elephants, butt I totally approve that decision. Drought affect the elephant population, and

a smaller population is more likely to survive. Meanwhile, failed crops mean people will starve. this is a win-win solution to a crisis.

[Roy Rolling]

7. Poor nutrition

Bad idea in so many ways, least of which is why elephant meat isn’t for human consumption. Avoiding starvation for the hungry can be accomplished with much, much better methods. Murdering elephants for a one-time meal is just plain stupid.

[Coventina]

8. Always and forever on the side of animals over people.

Too many people.

Not enough elephants.

[Wonder Why]

10. They can have all the repugs here that they can carry home.