Namibia’s Mass Cull of Wildlife – Aug/Sept 2024

The Namibian government is carrying out a mass cull of megafauna, with the majority of shooting taking place inside six of the country’s protected national parks.

The cull is for 723 wild animals including 83 endangered elephants, 300 zebras, 30 hippos, 60 buffaloes, 50 impalas, 100 eland, and 100 wildebeest.

The government claims the move is necessary to feed people affected by the drought. However, the distribution of the animals’ meat only appears to benefit those in important voting areas ahead of the election.  Statistics suggest the percentage of population affected by drought is among the lowest in the region.

Namibian is a trophy hunting country, and it’s thought the cull is also serving the interests of the hunting industry by allowing trophy hunters to take part. Hunting companies are seen to be selling cull hunts. The government has said that eight elephant trophies in all will be taken  and no others from the culled animals, but there’s no way to verify that; it also said the tusks from the killed elephants will be added to the government’s stockpile (Namibia is pressing to reopen ivory trade, along with other southern African countries.)

Many fear that if the scheme is allowed to proceed it will set a dangerous precedent which would lead to similar schemes on an even bigger scale in other countries across the continent.

UPDATE 12 Sept 2024: Zimbabwe has announced its intention to carry out an elephant cull.

The sources below, starting with the statement from African conservationists, examine the true causes behind this unfolding wildlife disaster and offer solutions that would address human hunger and also save wildlife.

 

Namibia Mass Wildlife Cull – African Conservationists’ Response

Conservationists condemn Namibia’s plan to cull 723 wildlife amidst drought – MEFT responds  Africa Geographic

Conservationists decry drought-hit Namibia’s plan to cull national park wild animals for meat  Don Pinnock

South Sudan and Namibia are poles apart in their treatment of African wildlife protection Christiaan Bakkes

Namibia to slaughter more than 80 elephants as protesters call it a ‘colossal disaster’  Jane Dalton

Namibia’s alarming plan to cull elephants and other wildlife is ‘an abdication of responsibility  Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA)

Statement from PREN  (Pro Elephant Network)

Namibia: Why Is Namibia Going to Kill its Endangered Desert Elephants?  Adam Cruise

Photos: Federico Veronesi