Zimbabwe Plans to Cull 200 Elephants Amid Drought

Zimbabwe has announced plans to cull 200 elephants for the first time since 1988 due to severe drought and food shortages. With nearly 100,000 elephants, double the country's carrying capacity, officials argue the cull will prevent prolonged suffering and balance the ecosystem. The meat from the culled elephants will be distributed to communities facing acute hunger. Critics, including animal rights activists, fear the cull could damage Zimbabwe's international image and hurt tourism. The decision mirrors a similar move by Namibia, which recently culled 700 animals to address food insecurity. Zimbabwe's government emphasizes the need to reduce human-wildlife conflict and resource competition as reasons for the cull.