Namibia is facing a severe drought, worsened by the effects of climate change, resulting in food insecurity for almost half of its population. As a response, the government has started culling over 700 wild animals, including hippos and elephants, to provide meat for its citizens. The United Nations has described the situation as a humanitarian crisis.
The drought has affected agriculture and livestock in Namibia, leading to food shortages and increased cases of malnutrition, especially among children. Women and girls are also at greater risk due to increased violence and diseases like cholera are spreading. The dry conditions have also intensified human-wildlife conflicts as both compete for limited resources.
The culling plan involves a variety of animals in different parks and communal areas, with a focus on areas prone to human-wildlife conflict. Elephants, particularly, are being targeted due to rising cases of conflict with communities. This is not the first time Namibia has faced challenges with wildlife management, as authorities have previously attempted to reduce elephant numbers to address conflict issues.
Across southern Africa, countries are also grappling with the issue of rising elephant populations, leading to conflicts with humans and calls for population control measures. Trophy hunting and selling elephants to private entities have been attempted in the past, but often face criticism from animal rights groups and governments.
Despite the controversial nature of culling and managing wildlife populations, including elephants, Namibia is taking these steps to address the immediate impact of the drought on its population, ensuring that food resources are available while also mitigating conflicts between animals and humans.
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