New Delhi: In a news which has shocked many, Namibia has decided to kill hundreds of wild animals amid a severe drought which has hit southern Africa. According to reports, the country’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has selected 723 animals to kill. It includes 83 elephants, 30 hippos, 300 zebras, 50 impala, 100 blue wildebeest and 100 elands. Notably, these animals are living in the national parks in Nambia and will be killed to provide food to those communities reeling due to the devastating drought.
How severe is the drought in Namibia?
Southern Africa is witnessing the worst drought in decades. According to the United Nations, Namibia, which shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the east and south, has exhausted 84 per cent of its food reserves in July. As per estimations, in the coming months, almost half of the country’s population will face increased food shortage. Notably, in May, the government in Namibia declared a state of emergency with nearly half of its 3 million people facing severe food insecurity. The environment ministry has stated that severe drought can result in increasing conflicts between humans and wildlife.
How will the killings help Namibia?
The Namibian government has selected those animals which have reportedly a sustainable population. So far, as per reports, professional hunters and companies with government contracts have hunted 157 animals which have fetched over 56,800 kilograms of meat.
According to Romeo Muyunda, the environment ministry’s spokesperson, the killing of the animals will enable them to manage the availability of grazing pressure and water. The killings will lower the wildlife population in those parks where the number of animals is more than the available grazing pastures and water apart from supplying food to the people in need.
Which national parks will be targeted for this?
The animals are expected to be taken from the Mangetti National Park, Namib Naukluft Park, Bwabwata National Park, Nkasa Rupara National Park and Mudumu National Park, as per reports. As per estimates, over 200,000 elephants live in a conservation area that spans five countries in southern Africa: Namibia, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. According to reports, the region has one of the largest populations of elephants in the world.
The country’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has selected 723 animals to kill including 83 elephants, 30 hippos, 300 zebras, 50 impalas, 100 elands, and 100 blue wildebeest. Notably, these animals are living in the national parks in Nambia. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
