Ben Madilynn
Namibia in southwest Africa plans to kill over 700 wild animals, including elephants, hippos and zebras, and distribute the meat to its drought-affected citizens. The country is grappling with its worst drought in a century, CNN reported.
The country’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has approved the killing of 83 elephants, 30 hippos, 60 buffaloes, 50 impalas, 100 blue wildebeest and 300 zebras.
The animals will be sourced from communal areas and national parks with “sustainable game numbers” such as Namib Naukluft Park, Mangetti National Park, Bwabwata National Park, Mudumu National Park and Nkasa Rupara National Park, the ministry press release said, adding, they will be killed by professional hunters.
With the drought impacting all industries, including conservation, the ministry said the decision was also aimed at reducing the negative impact of drought on the conservation of wild animals.
The initiative will reduce the number of wild animals, thereby decreasing the pressure on grazing land and on water resources.
