Source: Zimbabwean troops eat elephant

HARARE, Zimbabwe, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Zimbabwean soldiers are being given elephant meat to eat, an environmental group says.

The BBC reported Saturday that the use of elephant meat began last June but has recently increased.

Jonny Rodrigues of the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force said several soldiers had complained to him that was the only meat they were given.

Rodrigues said that army contracts to supply beef to feed soldiers had been canceled.

"It is cheaper and easier to use elephant meat," he was quoted by the British network as saying.

The BBC said the Zimbabwean economy is collapsing and that soldiers have recently complained after being unable to withdraw their salaries in cash from banks.