Zimbabwe criticised for allowing elephant killing during El Niño drought

Aptly named by FOX Weather, Alto, a member of the Clouds herd in a Kenyan wildlife sanctuary, was spotted with twins, just days old. In the 30 years that elephants have been monitored, only four sets of twins have been recorded. Twins account for less than 1% of elephant births.

HARARE, Zimbabwe – A climate crisis in southern Africa has prompted the Zimbabwean government to allow a mass slaughter of elephants, according to a local conservation group.

The Centre for Natural Resources Management (CNRG) reported that the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority has approved the killing of 200 elephants to ease the burden on the drought-stricken landscape and feed starving citizens.

According to the United Nations, the crisis was caused by a strong El Niño, which brought high temperatures and a lack of rainfall.

Aid agencies reported that the driest February in more than 100 years has led to drying out of pastures and the deaths of more than 9,000 cattle in the regions of Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

“Compared to the 2015/16 El Niño event, the 2023/2024 phenomenon affected more countries and its impacts were more intense in southern Africa. El Niño as a climate event was stronger in 2015/16 than in 2023/24. However, the impacts of El Niño 2023/24 are more significant because they were exacerbated by several factors, including climate change, deforestation and economic constraints,” the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said.

Map of precipitation anomalies over 180 days

(NOAA guideline)

FLORIDA ALLIGATOR TAKES A BREAK FROM THE RAINY WEATHER TO SUNBATHE ON A BEACH

Satellite estimates show that much of the continent has received less than 25% of normal rainfall over the past 180 days, leading to poor vegetation and increased risk of famine.

The 2023–24 El Niño emerged in June 2023 and lasted for nearly a year before dissipating, resulting in a neutral status for the El Niño-Southern Oscillation in the Pacific Ocean.

The World Meteorological Organization rated the global event as the fifth strongest El Niño in history, leading to widespread droughts, flooding and record sea surface temperatures.

Six countries in southern Africa have declared a state of emergency due to drought, which is expected to have more than 50% greater impacts than the previous El Niño cycle.

The map shows the percentage shift in GDP due to the 1997-98 El Niño.

(Chris Callahan/Dartmouth College / FOX Weather)

WHAT ARE THE CLIMATE PATTERNS OF EL NINO AND LA NINA?

“While we recognise the devastating impacts of one of the worst droughts in decades, we do not believe that the meat of 200 elephants will fill that food gap. According to the Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee (ZIMLAC), approximately 6 million people in rural areas and 1.7 million in urban areas – more than half the country’s population – will need food assistance between now and the next harvest. A robust, well-designed and sustainable strategy to feed the hungry population is required,” the CNRG said in a statement.

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority previously estimated that the country had over 82,000 elephants, more than double the target population set in the 1980s.

The government has not disclosed how many residents are expected to be fed by the elephant culling.

“We fear that this is a major policy reversal that will undo the excellent conservation work that has been championed by government and private actors over the past four decades. This move could open the floodgates to poaching, especially given that elephant poisoning and ivory trafficking have been ongoing challenges for years. CNRG is aware of a thriving illegal ivory market in Asia driven by a network of transnational organized crime actors,” conservationists said.

In nearby Namibia, the government authorized the killing of more than 700 animals, including 30 hippos, 60 buffalo, 50 impala, 100 blue wildebeest, 300 zebra, 83 elephants and 100 elands, as part of a drought-relief program.

The measure is intended to relieve pressure on pastureland and water availability while providing nutrients to local populations.

“This exercise is necessary and in line with our constitutional mandate, whereby our natural resources are used for the benefit of the Namibian citizens. This is also a good example that wildlife conservation is really useful. We are happy to be able to assist the country in this very difficult time and when it is absolutely needed,” Namibian officials stated.

TOPSHOT – Elephants cross a road early in the morning outside Hwange National Park, Hwange, Zimbabwe, on May 26, 2022. – Zimbabwe is set to conclude a campaign to legalise the ivory trade and is inviting officials from 15 countries to meet at a national park that has been a showcase for elephant conservation success.

(Photo by Zinyange Auntony/AFP/Getty Images)