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Namibia Plans Extensive Cull of Game Animals Amid Severe Drought
In response to the country’s most severe drought in a century, Namibia has announced plans to cull over 700 big game animals, including elephants, hippos, and zebras, to support the population affected by food shortages.
The culling operation will be carried out by professional hunters in national parks where the population of certain species is deemed above sustainable levels, as stated by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism.
The list of animals targeted for culling comprises 83 elephants, 30 hippos, 60 buffalo, 50 impalas, 100 blue wildebeest, and 300 zebras. The ministry highlighted that the focus of the operation would be on regions where animal populations exceed the available grazing and water resources.
This drought has resulted in widespread hardships for farmers across southern Africa, particularly in countries like Zambia and Mozambique, where the growing season was severely impacted. Reports indicate a significant decline in livestock numbers and a shortfall of three million tons of maize, a dietary staple in the area.
As the situation escalates, the United Nations World Food Programme is seeking 290,000 tons of maize from regions as far away as Mexico and Ukraine, marking a historic response to the ongoing drought crisis in southern Africa.
In response to the dire conditions, Namibia declared a state of emergency in May. Approximately 1.4 million people, nearly half its population, are projected to face serious food shortages as a result of the drought’s effects.
The culling operation has commenced, with reports indicating that more than 150 animals have already been killed, providing upwards of 125,000 pounds (57,000 kilograms) of meat for affected communities.
The Ministry of Environment emphasized that this culling effort aligns with constitutional mandates, ensuring that natural resources are utilized for the benefit of Namibian citizens. The ministry also noted that the initiative serves as a prime example of how effective wildlife conservation can support local communities, particularly in times of crisis.
This culling initiative follows a decision made last year regarding wild elephants, highlighting that these animals increasingly encroach upon rural areas due to competition for resources, a situation that becomes more acute during drought periods.
According to climate scientists, the current drought has been exacerbated by one of the strongest recorded El Niño weather patterns, a climate event influenced by varying temperatures in the Pacific Ocean.
On a hopeful note, the Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum has indicated a promising outlook, predicting an increased likelihood of normal to above-average rainfall from October through March in areas including Botswana, central Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
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