More than 700 wild animals, including hippos and elephants, are being culled in Namibia’s game parks to provide meat for the country’s hungry population amid the worst drought in 100 years. The United Nations has described the situation as a humanitarian crisis, with nearly half of the 2.5 million population expected to face high levels of food insecurity during the lean season from July to September.
Southern Africa is experiencing severe drought due to low rainfall caused by rising temperatures and the El Nino weather phenomenon exacerbated by human-caused climate change. Namibia, like its neighbours, depends on agriculture and livestock which require rain to thrive. The current drought has led to acute malnutrition, violence against women and girls, and the spread of diseases like cholera.
To address the food shortages, authorities in Namibia have contracted professional hunters to cull a variety of wild animals, including elephants, in parks and communal areas with sustainable game numbers. This move follows previous efforts to reduce elephant numbers in response to rising cases of human-wildlife conflict in the country. Countries across Southern Africa are grappling with the challenge of managing increasing elephant populations, with governments resorting to culling and trophy hunting to address the issue.
Critics of these practices argue that they are not effective solutions and may lead to backlash from animal rights groups and Western governments. Despite the controversial nature of culling wild animals, Namibia and other countries in the region are faced with the difficult task of balancing wildlife conservation with addressing the immediate needs of their populations during times of crisis.
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