Zimbabwe criticized for allowing mass killing of elephants amid El Nino-produced drought

HARARE, Zimbabwe – A climate crisis in southern Africa has triggered the government of Zimbabwe to allow for the mass slaughter of elephants, according to a locally based conservation group.The Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) said the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority has authorized for the killing of 200 elephants in order to reduce the burden on the drought-stricken landscape and feed starving citizens.According to the United Nations, the crisis was brought on by a strong El Niño, which produced warm temperatures and a lack of precipitation.Relief groups said the driest February in over 100 years led to pastures drying up and the deaths of over 9,000 cattle in the region of Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.“Compared to the El-Niño event of 2015/16, the 2023/2024 phenomenon affected more countries and its impacts in southern Africa were more intense. 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 as they were exacerbated by various factors, including climate change, deforestation, and economic constraints,” the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said.Over the last 180 days, satellite estimates show large swaths of the continent have seen less than 25% of their typical rainfall, leading to poor vegetation and increased risks of famine.The 2023–24 El Niño formed in June 2023 and lasted nearly a year before dissipating, resulting in a neutral status of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation in the Pacific.The global event was estimated by the World Meteorological Organization to be the fifth-strongest El Niño in history and led to widespread droughts, flooding and record sea surface temperatures.Six countries in southern Africa declared a state of emergency due to drought conditions which was thought to be more than 50% more impactful than the previous El Niño cycle.“Although we acknowledge the d...