Namibia has approved the slaughter of hundreds of animals, including elephants, as part of a plan to feed people in the drought-stricken southern African country.
About half of Namibia’s population faces acute food insecurity, United Nations said last month. Meat from the 723 animals culled will be distributed as part of a drought-fighting program, the country’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism announced on Monday.
“This exercise is necessary and in line with our constitutional mandate, which involves using our natural resources for the benefit of the citizens of Namibia,” the ministry said.
Namibia has experienced a 53 percent drop in grain production and a nearly 70 percent drop in dam water levels amid the drought, the United Nations said. A national state of emergency was declared on May 22.
Professional hunters and safari outfitters will carry out the culling, which will be limited to national parks and communal areas with sustainable game populations. The plan is to cull 30 hippos, 60 buffalo, 50 impala, 100 blue wildebeest, 300 zebra, 83 elephants and 100 elands.
Officials said the culling provides meat for humans and also reduces the negative impact of the drought on wildlife conservation, which competes for grazing areas and water as the drought continues.
Other countries, such as Australiahave previously allowed the culling of animals. The country has approved the killing of thousands of kangaroos over the years, with officials in the past warning that there was not enough food available to sustain the kangaroo population.
The severe drought in Namibia was caused by El Ninoa natural climate phenomenon that occurs when the Pacific Ocean experiences warmer than average surface temperatures. Climate change could exacerbate El Niño, leading to new record temperatures, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
According to the UN, rising temperatures and erratic rainfall are two of the biggest threats to Namibia’s natural resources. World Wildlife FundWild animals with fewer resources may also end up in human settlements.
Namibia said in its press release on the cull plan that the National Conference on Human-Wildlife Conflict Management in 2023 had determined that elephant numbers should be reduced to reduce human-wildlife conflict.
“Given the severe drought in the country, conflicts are expected to increase if no action is taken,” officials said.
NFL owners approve private equity investments in teams
District Attorney Addresses Media After Ex-Politician Telles Found Guilty of Murder of Reporter
Former politician Robert Telles guilty of murdering reporter who wrote negative stories about him
