WINDHOEK, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Namibia plans to cull 723 wild animals, including 83 elephants, and to distribute the meat to people struggling to feed themselves because of a severe drought across southern Africa, the environment ministry said.

The cull will take place in parks and communal areas where authorities believe animal numbers exceed available grazing land and water supplies, it said in a statement issued on Monday.

Southern Africa is facing its worst drought in decades, with Namibia having exhausted 84% of its food reserves last month, according to the United Nations. Nearly half of Namibia’s population is expected to experience high levels of food insecurity in the coming months.

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  • Dimok@reddthat.com
    201·
    4 months ago

    I eat meat, but elephants are a little too intelligent for me to be ok with their meat. I’m also not starving and in a drought, so that would probably change my mind…

    • 14th_cylon@lemm.eeOP
      19·
      4 months ago

      The elephants themselves are also dying from the drought, so it is fucked up situation all around :(

      More than 200,000 elephants are estimated to live in a conservation area spread over five southern African countries - Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Angola and Namibia - making the region home to one of the largest elephant populations worldwide.

      Hundreds of elephants died in Botswana and Zimbabwe last year because of drought.

      • gravitas_deficiency@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        32·
        4 months ago

        Oh wow… that’s terrible all around.

        But I guess it’s happening “over there”, so most people don’t care too much about it :(