18 elephants to be flown to US zoos as drought puts pressure on Swaziland wildlife

Conservation groups hope rehoming the elephants will leave more food and water for endangered rhinos as the country suffers worst drought in its history

Eighteen elephants, due to be culled because the intense drought in southern Africa has left a national park in Swaziland without food, could be flown to zoos in the US. It is hoped that moving them will give endangered rhinos more chance of survival.

The three male and 15 female elephants from parched Hlane national park are being held temporarily by a local conservation group pending a court case brought by US animal welfare groups concerned about their export.