Namibia’s Drought Crisis: 700+ Wild Animals to Be Culled for Food Relief

In a stark response to southern Africa’s worst drought in decades, Namibia has announced plans to cull 723 wild animals—including 83 elephants—to provide meat for communities facing severe food insecurity.

The move, confirmed by the environment ministry, aims to balance ecological pressures and human survival as grazing lands and water supplies dwindle. Among the animals listed for culling are 30 hippos, 60 buffalo, and hundreds of zebras and wildebeests. The meat will be distributed through a national drought relief program.

Southern Africa’s drought has left Namibia with just 16% of its food reserves remaining, according to UN data. Nearly half of the country’s population could face hunger in the coming months.

‘Human-wildlife conflicts are escalating,’ the ministry warned, citing overcrowding in parks and communal areas. The culling aligns with Namibia’s constitutional mandate to use natural resources for citizens’ benefit, it said.

This decision comes amid a broader regional crisis: over 200,000 elephants roam conservation areas across five southern African countries, including Angola and Botswana, where droughts have already claimed hundreds of elephant lives last year.

While the move highlights the harsh realities of climate change, it also raises urgent questions about sustainability and coexistence in a warming world.

Reference(s):

Namibia to cull over 700 wild animals, including 83 elephants

cgtn.com