Zimbabwe wildlife officials gave permits to kill at least 50 elephants at Save Valley Conservancy. The reserve holds about 2,550 elephants but can only support 800 animals safely. Officials moved 200 elephants to different parks over five years to control the population. The area has three times more elephants than it should have. Workers will give elephant meat to local communities for food.
The parks authority will take all ivory from the dead elephants. Zimbabwe has one of the world's biggest elephant populations. Climate change makes the problem worse as elephants search for food and water near human homes. Last year the country approved killing 200 elephants for the first time since 1988. Officials gave that meat to communities hurt by severe drought.
Namibia also decided to cull elephants around the same time. The southern African region faces growing conflicts between people and wildlife. Elephants damage crops and threaten villagers when they look for resources. Government officials say culling helps balance animal numbers with available habitat space.
The parks authority will take all ivory from the dead elephants. Zimbabwe has one of the world's biggest elephant populations. Climate change makes the problem worse as elephants search for food and water near human homes. Last year the country approved killing 200 elephants for the first time since 1988. Officials gave that meat to communities hurt by severe drought.
Namibia also decided to cull elephants around the same time. The southern African region faces growing conflicts between people and wildlife. Elephants damage crops and threaten villagers when they look for resources. Government officials say culling helps balance animal numbers with available habitat space.
