Namibia to Cull Over 700 Wild Animals to Combat Severe Drought

Meat from elephants, hippos, and zebras will aid food relief efforts as half the population faces acute food insecurity.

The culling includes 83 elephants, 30 hippos, 60 buffalos, 50 impalas, 100 blue wildebeests, 300 zebras, and 100 elands.
Namibia is facing its worst drought in a century, exacerbated by the El Niño climate pattern.
Professional hunters and safari outfitters will execute the cull in areas with sustainable game numbers.
The program aims to reduce human-wildlife conflicts and manage limited water and grazing resources.
Namibia declared a state of emergency in May, with 84% of its food reserves exhausted.