Worst drought in four decades: Zimbabwe to cull 200 elephants to feed its people

Zimbabwe, facing the worst drought in four decades, is set to cull 200 elephants to help feed its people, according to wildlife authorities. This decision follows a similar plan by neighbouring Namibia, which announced earlier this month that it would cull 160 wildlife animals, including 83 elephants, due to the severe drought affecting its population.

The El Niño-induced drought has devastated southern Africa, leading both Zimbabwe and Namibia to declare states of emergency. The drought has directly impacted 68 million people in the region, resulting in severe food shortages and dire conditions.

Tinashe Farawo, spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (Zimparks), told Reuters, “We can confirm that we are planning to cull about 200 elephants across the country. We are working on the details of how this will be carried out.” Farawo also confirmed that the elephant meat will be distributed to communities in Zimbabwe affected by the drought.


This will be the first time since 1988 that Zimbabwe has culled elephants, targeting areas such as Hwange, Mbire, Tsholotsho, and Chiredzi districts.

Approximately 200,000 elephants live in a conservation area that spans five southern African countries—Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Angola, and Namibia—making it one of the largest elephant habitats globally.