Namibia to slaughter over 700 wild animals for meat

Plans by the Namibian government to kill 83 elephants and 640 other wild animals to feed the meat to people have sparked a fierce international row. The British high commissioner to the country is among those backing the idea but ecologists are warning of a colossal disaster” for Africa’s wildlife.

- JANE DALTON

Hunters are being brought in to shoot the animals dead because of a severe drought across southern Africa that has left some people struggling for food, the environment ministry says. It's understood the mass cull has already begun, with the elephants due to be shot this week.

Already 157 animals have been hunted by professional hunters and companies contracted by the government, yielding more than 56,800kg of meat. Officials say nearly half of Namibia's population is forecast to experience food insecurity in the coming months following the drought.

As well as the 83 elephants, those to be culled - in national parks and communal areas - are 30 hippos, 60 buffalos, 50 impalas, 100 blue wildebeest, 300 zebras and 100 eland antelopes.

Setting out regions where the elephants will be killed, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism said: "This offtake will assist in reducing the negative impact of drought on the conservation of wild animals in both our national parks and communal areas." They said human-wildlife conflicts were expected to increase without intervention.

British high commissioner Charles Moore wrote on social media: "Namibia is very responsible in its use of natural resources. None of the species are endangered, so it's a good/rational solution to help 300k+ people in desperate need. Sheltering animals won't help."