By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Zimbabwe has announced plans to cull dozens of elephants in an effort to control its rapidly growing elephant population, according to a statement from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZimParks) on Tuesday.
Zimbabwe, which hosts the second-largest elephant population in the world after Botswana, will carry out the cull at a large private game reserve in the southeast.
The initial target is 50 elephants, although the total number to be culled and the timeline have not been specified.
An aerial survey in 2024 revealed that the Save Valley Conservancy, the targeted reserve, contains 2,550 elephants—more than three times its recommended carrying capacity of 800. Over the past five years, at least 200 elephants have been translocated to other parks.
ZimParks stated that the meat from the culling will be distributed to local communities, while the ivory will remain state property and be kept in safekeeping, as Zimbabwe is unable to sell its stockpile due to a global ivory trade ban.
“Elephant meat from the management exercise will be distributed to local communities while ivory will be state property that will be handed over to the ZimParks for safekeeping,” it said.
The announcement follows a recent incident in Harare where four individuals were arrested with over 230 kg (500 pounds) of ivory, allegedly seeking buyers.
Zimbabwe previously culled 200 elephants in 2024, the first such cull since 1988, which was prompted by a severe drought and resulting food shortages.
The decision to hunt elephants for meat has sparked criticism from conservationists and the tourism industry, as elephants are a major attraction for visitors to the country.