In her statement UZA president Elisabeth Valerio had this to say : I strongly oppose the government’s proposal to cull elephants in Zimbabwe. While it’s true that Zimbabwe is home to over 84,000 elephants—the second-largest population in the world after Botswana—this should be seen as a source of pride and responsibility, not a problem. The suggestion by Environment Minister Sithembiso Nyoni that “Zimbabwe has more elephants than we need” fails to acknowledge the importance of these majestic creatures, not only to our ecosystems but also to our economy and global standing as a leader in wildlife conservation.
The Zim Parks Authority already authorizes ration hunts to provide meat for officials, but expanding this practice to include large-scale culling is misguided. We have worked so hard to overcome the horrors of poaching and the destruction of protected wilderness areas, yet this culling proposal takes us backward. It reminds us of the devastating 2013 operation where over 300 elephants were poisoned with cyanide for ivory. We cannot afford to repeat such tragedies.
Culling elephants does not control the population effectively, nor does it resolve human-wildlife conflict. In fact, it can lead to more aggression and frustration among surviving elephants, increasing the very conflicts we aim to prevent. The argument that this will provide bush meat to help feed the country is equally weak. The 600,000 kg of bush meat, estimated to be worth about US$1.8 million, is a fraction of what the government will likely spend on the culling itself. It is a shame that while ordinary citizens struggle, the government spends more on these lavish and wasteful operations than on meaningful projects that benefit the people.
Rather than resorting to the destruction of our wildlife, we must explore sustainable alternatives. By allowing NGOs to operate freely and investing in entrepreneurs, we can create jobs and support local communities. Conservation and eco-tourism, if properly managed, will bring in far more revenue than culling ever could, while preserving our environment for future generations.
I urge the government to reconsider this destructive path and work towards humane, long-term solutions that benefit both people and wildlife. Zimbabwe has an opportunity to lead by example in protecting our natural heritage, and we should seize it with pride and responsibility.
