Zimbabwe is experiencing its worst drought in 40 years, with El Niño causing crop damage across much of southern Africa and 68 million people facing food shortages. In response to the crisis, Zimbabwe recently announced plans to cull around 200 elephants, aiming to ease overcrowding in the park and provide food to drought-affected communities.
According to foreign media reports on September 17, Zimbabwe Environment Minister Sithembi·so Nyoni pointed out when announcing the decision: "The number of elephants in Zimbabwe has exceeded our carrying capacity and exceeded the capacity of the forest." ”
She explained that too many elephants lead to the depletion of natural resources, further exacerbating the conflict between humans and wildlife. As the drought intensifies, resources such as water and food become more scarce, and human-elephant conflicts frequently escalate.
Tina·she Farawo, a spokeswoman for the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Service (Zimparks), told Reuters: "We are currently planning a nationwide campaign to cull elephants, and the implementation plan is still being studied." ”
He added that the meat from the culling of elephants will be distributed to drought-affected communities in Zimbabwe to help them overcome food shortages.
Nyoni stressed that Zimbabwe is following the example of neighbouring Namibia, which also decided last month to slaughter 83 elephants and distribute elephant meat to residents of arid areas.
In addition, discussions are underway with communities in Zimbabwe on how to mobilize women to dry and package elephant meat to ensure that it can be preserved for the long term and reach the families who need it most.
This is the first large-scale culling of elephants in Zimbabwe since 1988, in the districts of Wanki, Mbire, Jolosho and Chirez. Zimbabwe has one of the largest elephant populations in Africa, and the amount exceeding the park's carrying capacity is putting enormous pressure on the ecosystem.
Falawo noted that Zimbabwe currently has more than 84,000 elephants, while the country's parks can only accommodate 55,000.
"The number we are culling this time is just a drop in the ocean, because the number of elephants in Zimbabwe has far exceeded the carrying limit," Falavo said.
Notably, the drought has not only intensified the competition between humans and elephants for resources, but has also led to more casualties. Last year alone, 50 people died in elephant attacks in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe believes that modest culling operations can help reduce such tensions and reduce the loss of human life.
In addition, Zimbabwe's current ivory inventory is worth about $600,000, but these can't be legally sold due to restrictions under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Zimbabwe continues to lobby on the international stage, hoping to raise funds through the sale of ivory to support its wildlife conservation projects.
Cuba: Bread ration cuts exacerbate economic woes
On the other hand, Cuba, a Caribbean island nation far outside Africa, is facing a deepening economic crisis. Cuba recently announced a 25 percent reduction in the weight of subsidized bread, adding to the woes for Cuban families who depend on government rations for their livelihoods.
According to British media reports on September 17, according to the new policy, Cuba's daily bread ration will be reduced from 80 grams to 60 grams, which is roughly the size of an ordinary biscuit. The measure is the latest challenge to the extensive subsidy program that Fidel Castro has implemented since Fi·del Castro's 1959 revolution.
For most Cubans, bread is an integral part of their daily diet. However, the reduction in rations has left many Cubans feeling at a loss, especially since their monthly salary is only about $15, and many simply cannot afford to buy more expensive bread on the private market.
Dolores Fernández, a Havana resident·, expressed her frustration as she waited outside the bakery: "We have to accept the reality, what else can we do? ”
Cuba blamed the bread shortage on the disruption of flour supplies and blamed the United States trade embargo on Cuba for exacerbating the problem. Since the Cold War, the United States has imposed a series of economic sanctions on Cuba, which have led to extremely complex financial transactions on the global stage, further exacerbating Cuba's economic woes.
In addition to food shortages, Cuba also faces shortages of fuel and medicines. These problems have led to a record number of Cubans choosing to leave their homes and seek better opportunities in United States. In recent years, the flow of Cuban immigrants has continued to intensify, and a large number of Cubans have ventured to the United States in an attempt to escape the economic difficulties at home.
Cuba's "libreta" (ration book) was once a symbol of Castro's Revolution, and the system provided each family with a large number of discounted goods, including bread, meat, and milk. However, in recent years, the number of items on the ration books has gradually decreased, and the quality has also dropped significantly. Nowadays, Libreta only offers a few basic items, and these items are often late, of poor quality, or even undeliverable.
Resident Bernardo Matos, who was dissatisfied with the current quality ·of bread, complained that "the quality is too poor. He noted that the flour in the bread tasted "sour," reflecting complaints about the quality of rations.
In response to criticism, the Cuban government has pledged to strengthen oversight of state-run bakeries to ensure that food quality does not deteriorate further. Earlier this year, Cuba also sought assistance from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to ensure the supply of milk powder for children. This milk powder is another necessity that has become increasingly scarce in Cuba in recent years.