Namibia is culling wild animals, including elephants and hippopotamuses, to address severe drought impacts and provide meat amid food shortages, here are some things to know.
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Namibia is experiencing one of the worst droughts in a century, severely affecting the country's food availability.
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Namibia plans to cull 723 wild animals, including elephants, hippopotamuses, and other species, to provide meat for its population.
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Namibia, located in drought-prone southern Africa, has faced frequent droughts, with national emergencies declared in 2013, 2016, and 2019.
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The drought has devastated crops and livestock, with 84% of Namibia's food reserves depleted, leading to skyrocketing food prices.
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Severe malnutrition among children and increased vulnerability of women, who must travel longer distances for food and water, have been reported.
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The culling aims to prevent conflicts between wildlife and human populations as animals migrate in search of food and water.
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Culling wild animals for meat is not unusual in southern Africa, and experts suggest that if done sustainably and ethically.