Namibia will cull over 700 wild animals, including elephants, due to drought and food shortages

In response to its worst drought in a century, Namibia plans to cull over 700 wild animals to address severe food insecurity. The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism announced that the culling will include 83 elephants, 30 hippos, 60 buffalo, 50 impala, 100 blue wildebeest, and 300 zebras.

These animals will be taken from national parks and communal lands where their numbers are manageable, and the culling will be carried out by professional hunters. The initiative aims to ease the drought’s strain on resources and reduce human-wildlife conflicts.

Since declaring a state of emergency in May, Namibia has faced worsening conditions, with approximately 1.4 million people experiencing severe food shortages. The culling will help alleviate pressure on water resources and provide meat for drought relief, particularly in rural areas.

Southern Africa, which has over 200,000 elephants, has also seen significant wildlife losses due to the drought. Over 150 animals have already been culled, yielding over 125,000 pounds of meat. The ministry has expressed relief at being able to offer assistance amid widespread hunger and water shortages exacerbated by El Niño and climate change.