Windhoek, Namibia — Facing the worst drought in decades, Namibia has announced plans to cull 723 wild animals to support communities struggling with food shortages. The severe drought has depleted 84% of the nation’s food reserves, and nearly half of Namibians are expected to experience high levels of food insecurity in the coming months.
The Ministry of Environment stated that the culling will occur in parks and communal areas where animal populations have exceeded the capacity of available grazing lands and water resources. The species targeted include 83 elephants, 30 hippos, 60 buffalo, 50 impala, 100 blue wildebeest, 300 zebra, and 100 eland.
The ministry emphasized that this measure is essential to reduce human-wildlife conflicts and to utilize natural resources for the benefit of Namibian citizens. The meat from the culled animals will be distributed through drought relief programs to assist those most affected.
Southern Africa’s drought has not only impacted human populations but also wildlife. Last year, hundreds of elephants died in neighboring Botswana and Zimbabwe due to the harsh conditions. The conservation area spanning Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Angola, and Namibia is home to over 200,000 elephants, one of the largest populations in the world.
The government warns that without intervention, conflicts between humans and wildlife are likely to increase as both compete for dwindling resources. The culling is seen as a measure to mitigate these conflicts while providing much-needed relief to affected communities.
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Namibia to cull over 700 wild animals, including 83 elephants
cgtn.com
