The economic and environmental climate in Zimbabwe is now so bad that the government is selling wildlife to private reserves.

According to a Reuters report, Zimbabwe plans to "destock its parks estates" as a severe drought grips on the nation. Money raised from the wildlife sales will be used to buy food and water for the remaining "distressed animals."

This is not the first time Zimbabwe had sold animals. Last year, the government sold dozens of elephants to China. The Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force says baby elephants were rounded up and sold for $40,000 each.

The move is, of course, not without controversy. Conservation groups have vowed to keep a close eye on sales; of particular concern is that the animals will be sold for hunting purposes. Applicants for wildlife sales will need to provide the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority with "information about the habitat which they intend to put the acquired animals: name and address of property, size of property, ownership of the property, description of current land use, intended use for the acquired animals and existing infrastructure."

The government has not specified how many animals will be sold.

El Niño conditions have contributed to a deep drought in Zimbabwe, where UNICEF estimates 33,000 children need urgent care for severe malnutrition. Thirty-five percent of households do not have enough water for use in the home.

Meanwhile, their struggling economy is fueling further suffering. Severe cash shortages have citizens scrounging for US dollars while banks are limiting how much cash people can withdraw.