Namibia to kill 700 animals including elephants, zebras, and Hippos for meat amid severe drought crisis

Digital Desk: Namibia has approved the culling of hundreds of animals, including elephants, as part of an emergency response to the severe drought affecting the country. This decision, announced by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, aims to provide meat for those suffering from acute food insecurity exacerbated by a widespread food crisis.

According to a recent notice from the Namibian government, the culling will involve 723 animals: 30 hippos, 60 buffalos, 50 impalas, 100 blue wildebeests, 300 zebras, 83 elephants, and 100 elands. These animals will be culled from national parks and communal areas with sustainable game populations to ensure that the ecosystem remains balanced. The meat from these animals will be distributed through a drought relief program to help alleviate the hunger crisis in the country.

The Ministry has reported that, so far, 157 animals have been culled in various national parks, including Mangetti National Park and Mahango. These efforts have yielded approximately 56,875 kilograms of meat, which is being distributed to affected communities. The culling is conducted by professional hunters and safari outfitters contracted by the Ministry and local conservancies.

The crisis in Namibia is part of a broader regional emergency affecting Southern Africa. The United Nations recently reported that nearly half of Namibia’s population faces acute food insecurity due to the drought, which has been worsened by an El Niño event. This severe weather phenomenon has devastated crop and livestock production across the region, impacting the economies and food security of countries including Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi. 

As the region grapples with the worst drought in years, with significant contributions from greenhouse gas emissions and natural climate patterns, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is addressing the crisis. In response, several countries have declared the hunger situation a state of disaster and are calling for international humanitarian support.