In a bold move to combat the devastating effects of a severe drought sweeping across southern Africa, Namibia has announced plans to cull 723 wild animals, including 83 elephants. The meat from these animals will be distributed to citizens struggling to secure food amid the crisis.
The Namibian environment ministry stated that the culling will take place in parks and communal areas where animal populations have outstripped the available grazing land and water supplies. This intervention aims to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts that are expected to rise if the situation remains unchecked.
Southern Africa is currently enduring its worst drought in decades. According to the United Nations, Namibia has exhausted 84% of its food reserves as of last month, and nearly half of the country's population is anticipated to face high levels of food insecurity in the upcoming months.
\"To this effect, 83 elephants from identified conflict areas will be culled, and the meat allocated to the drought relief programme,\" the environment ministry explained. In addition to elephants, the country plans to cull 30 hippos, 60 buffalo, 50 impala, 100 blue wildebeest, 300 zebra, and 100 eland.
\"This exercise is necessary and is in line with our constitutional mandate where our natural resources are used for the benefit of Namibian citizens,\" the ministry added.
The conservation area, which spans five southern African countries—Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Angola, and Namibia—is home to over 200,000 elephants, making it one of the largest elephant populations globally. Last year, hundreds of elephants succumbed to the drought in Botswana and Zimbabwe, highlighting the urgent need for such measures.
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Namibia to cull over 700 wild animals, including 83 elephants
cgtn.com
