Culling of Elephants

Q: Is the culling of elephants allowed?

A: Culling is a refined termed for murdering innocent animals in the name of biodiversity or wildlife preservation. Scientists use refined and high-sounding words for sometimes gruesome acts of torture. According to Islam, it is not permissible to kill an animal except for two reasons: a) for eating purposes; and such killing should be done through the humane method of thabah; b) when an animal poses a threat to one’s life or property. The culling of elephants is done by game reserves and farmers merely to protect the so-called environment. That is no reason for murdering these innocent creatures. There is no threat to our lives or our property, and the Creator of the environment will take care of it. Allah has created a balance in His environment which He Himself will maintain. When poachers kill these elephants for money, which is also a haraam act, then the environmentalists are aghast. But when they do the same thing under the protection of the state and in the name of scientific advancement, then they do not even bat an eyelid. These are the double standards of the West. Even the culling process is a huge money making scheme, for the thousands of elephants that are slain do not go to waste. Instead the meat and other expensive items of the animal are sold. In our pure Shariah, all this is not allowed. Rasoolullah taught kindness to even animals and prohibited the use of animals for target practice.