Namibia, renowned for its diverse wildlife and breathtaking landscapes, is grappling with a severe food shortage due to an unprecedented drought, which has pushed millions towards hunger and severe food shortages.
In response, the Namibian government has announced a controversial plan to kill over 700 wild animals, including elephants and hippos, to provide meat for its citizens.
The drought has depleted approximately 84% of Namibia’s food reserves, leaving nearly half of its 2.5 million population at risk of severe food shortages from July to September.
Namibia is home to about 24,000 elephants, one of the largest populations in the world, but the ongoing dry conditions have led to more frequent clashes between people and these animals.
To address the immediate food crisis, Namibia’s environment ministry has announced plans to kill 723 wild animals, including 30 hippos, 60 buffaloes, 50 impalas, 100 blue wildebeest, 300 zebras, 83 elephants, and 100 elands.
The killings are being carried out in parks and communal areas where officials believe the animal populations are large enough to sustain the losses without causing long-term damage.
The government has already collected 56,875 kilograms of meat from 157 wild animals for its relief programme.
Though the Namibian government’s decision has reignited debates over wildlife management in Namibia and other Southern African countries, with critics insisting that killing wildlife, especially elephants and hippos, could damage Namibia’s biodiversity and reputation as a leader in conservation, Namibian officials, however, maintain that the action is a necessary response to the unprecedented challenges they face, not only to address the immediate food crisis but also to mitigate ongoing human-wildlife conflicts.
As Namibia struggles with this crisis, it continues to face criticism from animal rights groups and conservationists worldwide.
However, the government argues that such measures are essential for the country’s survival and to maintain a balance between human needs and wildlife conservation.
: Namibia to kill 723 elephants, hippos, zebras, others for food
In response, the Namibian government has announced a controversial plan to kill over 700 wild animals, including elephants and hippos, to provide meat for its citizens.
The drought has depleted approximately 84% of Namibia’s food reserves, leaving nearly half of its 2.5 million population at risk of severe food shortages from July to September.
Namibia is home to about 24,000 elephants, one of the largest populations in the world, but the ongoing dry conditions have led to more frequent clashes between people and these animals.
To address the immediate food crisis, Namibia’s environment ministry has announced plans to kill 723 wild animals, including 30 hippos, 60 buffaloes, 50 impalas, 100 blue wildebeest, 300 zebras, 83 elephants, and 100 elands.
The killings are being carried out in parks and communal areas where officials believe the animal populations are large enough to sustain the losses without causing long-term damage.
The government has already collected 56,875 kilograms of meat from 157 wild animals for its relief programme.
Though the Namibian government’s decision has reignited debates over wildlife management in Namibia and other Southern African countries, with critics insisting that killing wildlife, especially elephants and hippos, could damage Namibia’s biodiversity and reputation as a leader in conservation, Namibian officials, however, maintain that the action is a necessary response to the unprecedented challenges they face, not only to address the immediate food crisis but also to mitigate ongoing human-wildlife conflicts.
As Namibia struggles with this crisis, it continues to face criticism from animal rights groups and conservationists worldwide.
However, the government argues that such measures are essential for the country’s survival and to maintain a balance between human needs and wildlife conservation.
