Draught, starvation, and death are very tragic subjects and I get that this can be an extremely sensitive topic to discuss. So I ask with concern and respect. As a hunter, and a conservationists, I’m interested in the subject because I’m aware that the majority of the animals we shoot in Africa generally go to feed hungry people. As far as I know the meat is not wasted. My outfitter belongs to a program where meat is donated to orphanages and others in need in their community. I know other outfitter’s will chime in too.
In light of the recent effort to cull elephants and other animals across some of the drought stricken southern african countries to feed starving people, what is the real answer to feed all these hungry people? It can’t be 200 elephants? Is this good or bad for elephants and/or Safari Hunters?
Just take 200 elephants for example. I looked up what I could find - a brief search. But I’m not certain what the real numbers are?
1 Elephant:
What I’ve found (On the Internet):
On average, an adult African elephant weighs about 5,443 kilograms (12,000 pounds), surpassing any other land creature. Even female elephants, typically smaller, often weigh between 2,268 and 6,350 kilograms (5,000 to 14,000 pounds).
The meat from a single African elephant could feed around 350 people for a week or 100 people for a month. Are these numbers accurate?
Given the circumstances of draught and starvation (or at least what we in the west see); would this mean one meal a day or more than one meal a day per person from 1 elephant for 1 month? Is a different amount/formula used to determine the ratio?
I’ve not hunted elephant, so I have not been a part of the process of seeing elephant meat distributed. I hope to soon.
I can also understand that the draught is, or may, have an impact on the animal population too. How is the culling effort viewed for the welfare of the general population of animals in these draught stricken areas alone vs culling to feed people? One could assume it is mutually beneficial?
Thanks in advance.
In light of the recent effort to cull elephants and other animals across some of the drought stricken southern african countries to feed starving people, what is the real answer to feed all these hungry people? It can’t be 200 elephants? Is this good or bad for elephants and/or Safari Hunters?
Just take 200 elephants for example. I looked up what I could find - a brief search. But I’m not certain what the real numbers are?
1 Elephant:
What I’ve found (On the Internet):
On average, an adult African elephant weighs about 5,443 kilograms (12,000 pounds), surpassing any other land creature. Even female elephants, typically smaller, often weigh between 2,268 and 6,350 kilograms (5,000 to 14,000 pounds).
The meat from a single African elephant could feed around 350 people for a week or 100 people for a month. Are these numbers accurate?
Given the circumstances of draught and starvation (or at least what we in the west see); would this mean one meal a day or more than one meal a day per person from 1 elephant for 1 month? Is a different amount/formula used to determine the ratio?
I’ve not hunted elephant, so I have not been a part of the process of seeing elephant meat distributed. I hope to soon.
I can also understand that the draught is, or may, have an impact on the animal population too. How is the culling effort viewed for the welfare of the general population of animals in these draught stricken areas alone vs culling to feed people? One could assume it is mutually beneficial?
Thanks in advance.
