INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Zimbabwe has announced plans to cull 200 elephants, becoming the second African country after Namibia to take such measures in response to
its worst drought in decades
(Photo Internet reproduction)The culling serves dual purposes: providing food for hungry communities and alleviating pressure on scarce
However, the decision has sparked debate among conservationists and animal rights groups.Critics argue that culling could harm tourism, a
vital industry for these countries
conservationists, point out the damage overpopulation of elephants can cause to ecosystems and other species
They argue for balanced management of wildlife populations.The World Wildlife Fund estimates that only 415,000 elephants remain in Africa,
down from over 3 million at the start of the 20th century
This drastic decline highlights the complex challenges of wildlife conservation.The situation underscores the difficult balance between
immediate human needs and long-term conservation efforts.It also reflects the growing impact of climate change on both wildlife and human
populations in Africa.As the drought continues to affect southern Africa, more countries may face similar difficult decisions.The
