Namibia's killing fields

Severe drought, human-wildlife conflict’ the reason.

- Carine Hartman

A total of 83 elephants are among more than 700 animals to be slaughtered with their meat given to Namibians struggling to feed themselves as the country faces a severe drought.

Apart from elands and hippos being culled, the elephants will be slaughtered "because of the human wildlife conflict", Namibia's ministry of environment, forestry and tourism, announced this week.

Cabinet approved the slaughter of 723 animals - 30 hippos, 60 buffaloes, 50 impalas, 100 blue wildebeest, 300 zebras, 83 elephants and 100 elands.

The animals will be sourced from national parks and communal areas with sustainable game numbers.

"Hunters are now tracking 157 animals comprising of different species in Mangetti National Park, 20 in Mahango, 70 in Kwando, six in Bufallo and nine in Mudumo, delivering 56 875km of meat," the ministry said.