Namibia Turns to Culling Wildlife as Drought Pushes Communities to Brink
Facing a devastating drought, Namibia has made the difficult decision to cull over 700 wild animals to provide food for its struggling communities. This unprecedented move, announced by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, is a desperate attempt to alleviate the impact of the worst drought to hit the Southern African nation in decades.
The culling operation, which began last week, aims to reduce pressure on grazing land and water resources severely depleted by the drought. The first phase targets approximately 160 animals, including hippos, elephants, buffalo, plains zebras, and various antelope species, many of which reside within the country’s protected national parks.
Romeo Muyunda, spokesperson for the Ministry, confirmed to Agence France-Presse that 157 animals out of the targeted 723 have already been culled, with the operation proceeding as scheduled. The meat from these animals, amounting to over 56,875 kilograms (approximately 63 tons), will be distributed to communities facing food insecurity.
“Our goal is to carry out this operation in a sustainable manner, minimizing trauma as much as possible, and ensuring that only animals identified for culling are affected,” Muyunda stated.
This drastic measure comes after Namibia declared a state of emergency in May due to the drought, which has gripped several Southern African countries. The culling is part of a broader government effort to address the food crisis and ensure the survival of its people in the face of these harsh conditions.
The decision to cull wildlife, particularly iconic species like elephants, is a controversial one. However, Namibia has a long history of community-based natural resource management, which has been recognized for its success in promoting wildlife conservation and socioeconomic development. The current culling operation, while heartbreaking, reflects the severity of the drought and the difficult choices facing the nation.
The ivory from the culled elephants will be stored in government warehouses, in line with the global ban on ivory trade.
This situation underscores the growing impact of climate change, with droughts becoming more frequent and severe in many parts of the world. It highlights the urgent need for global action to address climate change and support communities on the frontlines of this crisis.
