Namibia is facing its worst drought in 100 years, leading to a humanitarian crisis with over 84 percent of food reserves depleted. To combat food insecurity, the government is culling over 700 wild animals, including hippos and elephants, to provide meat for the hungry population. The United Nations has described the situation as a crisis rarely discussed.
The severe drought in Southern Africa is attributed to rising temperatures and low rainfall, exacerbated by the El Nino weather phenomenon and human-caused climate change. This has led to reduced food production, cases of acute malnutrition, and violence against women and girls as they travel further for water.
Namibia, like its neighboring countries, relies on agriculture and livestock which are suffering due to the lack of rain. The current drought is causing widespread human-wildlife conflict as animals compete with people for water and land resources.
The culling of animals in Namibia is aimed at reducing overpopulation and mitigating human-wildlife conflict. Elephants, in particular, are being targeted in areas prone to conflict. Despite efforts to control elephant populations through trophy hunting and selling, Namibia and other Southern African countries continue to struggle with increasing numbers.
Critics argue that the overpopulation claims are exaggerated, and efforts to sell or hunt elephants have faced backlash from animal rights groups. In the past, attempts by Namibia to sell elephants have been unsuccessful, highlighting the ongoing debate over managing wildlife populations in the region. As the drought worsens, conflicts between humans and animals are expected to increase, necessitating further action to address the crisis.
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