Zimbabwe to Cull Dozens of Elephants, Meat to Be Distributed to Locals

"Ecological carrying capacity already far exceeded"
About 200 elephants were also culled last year

Zimbabwe, a landlocked country in southern Africa, is reportedly planning to cull about 50 elephants. This decision comes as the elephant population has recently grown beyond the region's carrying capacity.

According to AFP and other foreign media outlets on June 3 (local time), the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority announced a large-scale elephant culling plan. In southern Zimbabwe, there is the Save Valley Conservancy, which is currently home to about 2,550 elephants.

Elephants in Zimbabwe National Park. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

The authorities stated, "The ecological carrying capacity of the conservancy is 800 elephants, meaning the current population far exceeds what the area can support." They explained, "To address the increase in the elephant population in this region, we have authorized an 'elephant management exercise' with an initial target of 50 elephants." Over the past five years, the Save Valley Conservancy has gradually reduced its elephant population and has relocated about 200 elephants to other areas to protect their habitats.

The meat from the culled elephants will be distributed to local residents, while the ivory will be securely stored by the government. Zimbabwe is reportedly prohibited from selling its ivory stockpiles due to the international ban on ivory trade.

Previously, the Zimbabwean government also undertook a mass culling of 200 elephants last year. At that time, the measure was taken to supply meat to communities facing food shortages due to the worst drought in 40 years. The spokesperson for the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, which issued hunting permits at the time, emphasized, "With the elephant population at around 84,000, culling 200 elephants is like a drop in the ocean," and stated, "We will begin the process as soon as the permits are issued."

Zimbabwe is home to the second largest elephant population in the world after neighboring Botswana. Both countries consider elephants and other African wildlife as major tourism resources.