Namibia has announced plans to cull over 700 wild animals, including elephants, zebras, and hippos, to address its severe food insecurity. The country, like its southern African neighbors, is facing devastating drought conditions driven by the El Niño weather pattern and exacerbated by climate change, leading to widespread crop failures. The culling, announced by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, will involve professional hunters targeting animals from national parks and communal areas with sustainable populations of these animals. Among those to be culled are 83 elephants, 30 hippos, and 300 zebras, with their meat distributed to people in drought-stricken areas, particularly those from rural communities. The program aims to reduce pressure on water resources in areas where the animal population exceeds available water and grazing. It also aims to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts, particularly with elephants.
SOURCE: CNN
Namibia to Slaughter Over 700 Elephants, Zebras, and Hippos to Feed Citizens
