The Namibian government has announced plans to cull 723 wild animals, including 83 elephants, in response to the severe drought ravaging southern Africa.
The Environment Ministry stated on Monday that the culling is necessary to address the imbalance between wildlife populations and the diminishing grazing land and water supplies. The culling will be conducted in parks and communal areas where authorities have identified that animal numbers have outstripped the available natural resources.
The meat from the culled animals will be distributed to communities struggling with food insecurity as part of the country's drought relief program.
Southern Africa is currently enduring its worst drought in decades, with Namibia particularly hard-hit. According to the United Nations, the country exhausted 84% of its food reserves last month, and nearly half of Namibia's population is expected to face severe food shortages in the coming months.
In addition to the 83 elephants, the government plans to cull 30 hippos, 60 buffalo, 50 impala, 100 blue wildebeest, 300 zebra, and 100 elands. The move, though controversial, is aimed at mitigating the effects of the drought and supporting the nation's most vulnerable populations.
The Environment Ministry emphasized that the culling is a necessary measure to manage the country's wildlife resources and to ensure that both humans and animals have access to the dwindling food and water supplies.
The decision has sparked discussions on the balance between wildlife conservation and human needs in times of extreme environmental stress.
