CNN
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Namibia plans to kill more than 700 wild animals including elephants, zebras and hippos and distribute the meat to food-insecure people as the country grapples with its worst drought in 100 years.
Among the animals to be culled are 83 elephants, 30 hippos, 60 buffalo, 50 impalas, 100 blue wildebeest and 300 zebras, the country’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism said on Monday.
They will come from national parks and community areas where game numbers are “sustainable” and will be shot by professional hunters, the ministry said in a press release.
The aim of the programme is to help mitigate the impacts of drought in the South-West African country, the ministry said.
In May, Namibia declared a state of emergency due to worsening drought conditions. An estimated 1.4 million people, or nearly half the population, are at risk of high-level acute food insecurity.
The culling programme will help reduce pressure on water resources by reducing wildlife in areas where their numbers “exceed available grazing and water”, the ministry said.
It also aims to reduce the risk of conflict between elephants and humans, which can increase during times of drought, when the animals’ search for food and water may bring them into contact with humans.
“For this purpose, 83 elephants from identified conflict areas will be slaughtered and the meat will be allocated to the drought relief programme,” the ministry said.
Southern Africa is a stronghold for elephants, home to more than 200,000. The animals have also been hit by drought, with hundreds reportedly dying in the region last year as their water sources dried up.
Meat from other animals that will be slaughtered will also be distributed to hungry people, according to the ministry, which stressed that people living in rural areas were particularly affected.
More than 150 animals have already been killed, providing more than 125,000 pounds of meat, the department said.
“We are pleased to be able to help the country in this very difficult time and when it is absolutely necessary,” he said.
Namibia is one of several countries in southern Africa grappling with a devastating drought caused by El Niño – a natural weather phenomenon that has caused a sharp reduction in rainfall in the region – and compounded by the man-made climate crisis.
Lack of rain combined with scorching temperatures has led to crop failure and increased hunger for tens of millions of people in the region.
