Namibia plans to cull 723 wild animals, together with 83 elephants, and distribute the meat to individuals struggling to feed themselves as a consequence of a extreme drought in South Africa, the atmosphere ministry has dominated.
The culling will happen in parks and public areas the place authorities consider the variety of animals exceeds out there pasture and water provides. South Africa is dealing with its worst drought in many years, with Namibia depleting 84 p.c of its meals reserves final month, in response to UN figures. Virtually half of Namibia’s inhabitants is anticipated to expertise starvation issues within the coming months.
With such a extreme drought, human-wildlife conflicts are anticipated to extend if authorities don’t intervene. “To this finish, 83 elephants from recognized battle zones will probably be killed and the meat distributed to the drought aid programme,” it mentioned in an announcement.
The nation additionally plans to cull 30 hippos and 60 buffalo, in addition to 50 impala, 100 wildebeest, 300 zebra and 100 eland.
157 animals have already been captured by skilled hunters and corporations employed by the federal government, with greater than 56,800 kilograms of meat harvested.
“That is needed and in keeping with our constitutional mandate the place our pure sources are used for the good thing about the residents of Namibia,” Reuters quoted the atmosphere ministry as saying.
Greater than 200,000 elephants are estimated to stay in a protected space unfold throughout 5 southern African nations – Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Angola and Namibia – making the area house to one of many largest elephant populations on the planet.
Illustrative Picture by Vik Joshi: https://www.pexels.com/photograph/hippopotamus-lying-near-the-river-8150826/
