18/12/2007 08:46 - (SA)

Harare - There is such an acute food shortage in Zimbabwe that people are resorting to shooting elephants to stave off the hunger.

Johnny Rodrigues, chairperson of the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force, said game poaching had increased in the past three months.

A recent report noted that 900 elephant carcasses had been seen from the air over Chisarira Park in the northwestern region of Zimbabwe.

The official who compiled the report said there were more carcasses than live animals in the park.

A tourist has reported seeing three elephant carcasses in Hwange National Park.

The carcasses had been stripped to the bone.

Elephant stoned

The official report noted: "The continuing food shortages in Zimbabwe are forcing residents to act like barbarians."

One Kariba elephant, which was being stoned by about 30 people, fled in panic and fell into a ditch, where the stoning continued.

While some people ran to help the elephant, the original attackers just stood there waiting for the animal to die so they could get at the meat.

Zimbabwe's severe food shortages have been felt worst in the rural areas.

Meat is a luxury in most households.