Namibia Plans Mass Wildlife Killings Over Grappling Food Insecurity

The Namibia Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has announced that plans are underway to kill more wild life animals, including elephants, zebras and hippos, and distribute the meat to people battling with food insecurity.

The country which is also faced by heightened impact of drought, the ministry said became imperative to assist with the alleviation of the impact that has plunged the southwest African country into acute hunger and food insecurity.

The animals set to be slaughter include 83 elephants, 30 hippos, 60 buffalo, 50 impala, 100 blue wildebeest and 300 zebras, the Ministry affirmed.

This information is contained in a statement by the ministry.

According to the ministry, "The animals will come from national parks and communal areas with sustainable game numbers and will be killed by professional hunters."

With an estimated 1.4 million people, the country had however declared a state of emergency following the incident.

The statement read in parts: "The killing program will take pressure off water resources by reducing wildlife in areas where their numbers exceed available grazing and water.

"It also aims to reduce the potential for conflicts between elephants and humans, which can increase during drought when animals’ search for food and water can bring them into contact with people.

“To this effect, 83 elephants from identified conflict areas will be culled, (and) meat will be allocated to the drought relief programme. More than 150 animals have already been killed, providing more than 125,000 pounds of meat.

"Southern Africa is a stronghold for elephants, home to more than 200,000. These animals have also been negatively affected by drought, with hundreds believed to have died across the region last year as their water sources dried up.

"Meat from other animals set to be killed will also be distributed to those struggling with hunger, according to the ministry, which pointed to people living in rural areas as being particularly affected."

“We are happy that we can assist the country in this very difficult time and when it’s absolutely needed,” it said.