By Namibia’s environment ministry announced plans Monday to cull 723 wild animals, including 83 elephants, as part of efforts to address severe drought conditions and manage human-wildlife conflicts. The meat from the culled animals will be distributed to people struggling with food insecurity due to the ongoing drought across southern Africa.
The cull will target animals in parks and communal areas where authorities believe populations exceed available grazing land and water supplies. In addition to elephants, the plan includes culling 30 hippos, 60 buffalo, 50 impala, 100 blue wildebeest, 300 zebra, and 100 eland.
Namibia has already exhausted 84% of its food reserves last month, according to United Nations reports. Nearly half of the country’s population is expected to face high levels of food insecurity in the coming months.
The environment ministry stated, “This exercise is necessary and is in line with our constitutional mandate where our natural resources are used for the benefit of Namibian citizens.” Officials added that 157 animals have already been hunted by professional hunters and contracted companies, yielding over 56,800 kilograms of meat.
The southern African region, home to one of the world’s largest elephant populations, is facing its worst drought in decades. The conservation area spanning Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Angola, and Namibia is estimated to host more than 200,000 elephants.
REUTERS
