Namibia, a country in Southern Africa, has declared that it plans to kill 723 wild animals in order to provide food for approximately half of its 1.4 million people, who are experiencing starvation as a result of the worst drought in a century.
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“This exercise is necessary and is in line with our constitutional mandate where our natural resources are used for the benefit of Namibian citizens,” stated the nation’s Ministry of the Environment, Forestry, and Tourism.
More than 30 million people in southern Africa are impacted by the current drought, which is made worse by the El Nino climate pattern, according to a June UN World Food Program assessment.
The choice to kill these animals is not just motivated by the desire for their meat; it is also an effort to lessen the possibility of dangerous interactions between wildlife and people, which are predicted to rise as both search for scarce water and plant supplies during the drought. The issue gets worse as the drought spreads across the country, leaving animals with less room to migrate.
A United Nations spokesman said that 84% of Namibia’s food supplies have already run out, indicating a dire situation.
What Has Led To The Drought In Namibia?
Southern Africa, where Namibia is situated, is prone to droughts, and the country has experienced them often enough to declare national emergencies in 2013, 2016, and 2019. However, Juliane Zeidler, the country director of the World Wildlife Fund in Namibia, told The New York Times that the current drought has been particularly severe and pervasive.
According to a report released by the European Commission, the drought started in Botswana in October 2023 and has since expanded and escalated throughout Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, affecting most of southern Africa.
What Is El Niño?
El Niño, a meteorological trend that causes excessive heat and dry spells, is mostly to blame for the current scenario. In 2023, the region had above-average temperatures and inadequate precipitation due to the return of an El Niño after seven years. Severe soil moisture shortages and vegetative stress followed, resulting in the drought.
Furthermore, multiple studies have revealed that as temperatures rise due to climate change, extreme weather events such as droughts and floods become more common and severe.
Food availability in Namibia is normally inadequate from July to September, and the drought has worsened the situation. Staple crops like maize have dried up, a vast number of cattle have died, and about 84% of the country’s food stockpiles have been gone.
Namibia wants to cull wild animals for reasons other than meat production. The government is concerned that the drought may compel animals to travel in search of food and water, potentially bringing them into confrontation with human communities. The country has a huge number of wild species, including 24,000 elephants, one of the world’s largest populations.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, culling some animals may also help to mitigate the effects of the drought on wildlife. It’d assist “in managing the current grazing pressure and water availability…in some parks and communal areas where we feel numbers exceed available grazing and water,” according to the ministry.
Is Killing Wild Animals For Meat Unusual?
No. Wild animals of various species are killed for food, sport, and trophies all over the world. People in southern Africa frequently eat animals that are on Namibia’s cull list, such as impala, blue wildebeest, and zebras.
Conclusion
The decision to kill wild animals in Namibia has aroused debate among conversationalists and animal rights advocates. Critics claim that the decision was taken without a proper environmental and economic impact assessment, raising concerns about the potential ramifications for Namibia’s wildlife and ecosystem.
FAQs
Why Namibia Is Killing Its Wild Animals?
Namibia, a country in Southern Africa, has declared that it plans to kill 723 wild animals in order to provide food for approximately half of its 1.4 million people, who are experiencing starvation as a result of the worst drought in a century.
What Is The Reason Behind Namibia’s Drought?
Namibia is prone to droughts, and the country has experienced them often enough to declare national emergencies. The current drought has been particularly severe and pervasive because of the El Nino climate pattern.