elephant conservation

Zimbabwe orders cull of 200 elephants amid food shortages from drought

I was in Zimbabwe last year for an elephant safari, and it was a surreal experience to witness these magnificent creatures up close in their natural habitat. The vast herds of elephants roaming gracefully in the African landscape left a lasting impression on me. However, the recent news of Zimbabwe ordering the cull of 200 elephants due to food shortages resulting from drought has sparked a deep sense of concern and reflection within me.

The elephants in Zimbabwe are facing an ecological crisis, particularly in their largest park, Hwange. With an estimated 100,000 elephants in the country, the population has exceeded the land’s carrying capacity, leading to overgrazing and destruction of habitat.… Continue reading

Europeans care more about elephants than people, says Botswana president

I’m up to my ears in people. I rarely see an elephant. The Botswana president, Mokgweetsi Masisi, made a bold statement recently by claiming that Europeans care more about elephants than people. And to be honest, I can see where he’s coming from. In a world where animal rights activism is on the rise, it’s not uncommon to see more concern for endangered species like elephants than for the well-being of fellow humans.

Masisi’s stance on elephant hunting in Botswana, advocating for controlled ivory trading to fund conservation efforts, garnered mixed reactions. While some criticized his methods, it’s crucial to acknowledge that elephants are near extinction while human population growth shows no signs of slowing down.… Continue reading