What’s driving Zimbabwe to kill elephants again in 2025?
Zimbabwe says it will kill at least 50 elephants this year to help ease hunger and protect land.
This decision has drawn strong reactions around the world.
The cull comes months after the country killed more than 200 elephants in 2024 and gave the meat to struggling communities hit by drought.
The plan was announced by Zimbabwe’s Parks and Wildlife Authority, which granted permits to Save Valley Conservancy, a private game reserve in the southeast.
Officials say the area now has over 2,500 elephants, but the land can only support around 800. Too many elephants, according to them, means damaged land, less water, and more competition with people.
Zimbabwe is still recovering from a severe drought caused by El Niño in 2024, which left crops failing and water sources drying up.
The government declared a national disaster in April after more than half of the rural population was found to be short on food. Officials say elephant meat offers one way to support hungry families, while ivory from the animals will be kept by the state.
Authorities say although relocation is preferred, it costs too much and takes time.
So far, over 200 elephants have been killed in the past five years. With money tight and food shortages growing, the government believes culling is the quickest option.
Meanwhile, animal rights groups the World Animal Protection Agency says the country is using a crisis to excuse the killing of wildlife, calling for long-term solutions that protect both people and animals.
Zimbabwe has the second-largest elephant population in the world after Botswana
