Zimbabwe and Namibia will kill scores of elephants to feed people facing drought

A herd of elephants make their way through the Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe (AP Photo)

Zimbabwe and Namibia have announced plans to slaughter hundreds of wild elephants and other animals to feed hunger-stricken residents amid severe drought conditions in the southern African countries.

Zimbabwe said it would allow the killing of 200 elephants so that their meat can be distributed among needy communities, while in Namibia the killing of more than 700 wild animals — including 83 elephants — is under way as part of a plan announced three weeks ago.