Namibia is undertaking a significant culling operation of wild animals due to an unprecedented drought affecting the nation. This measure aims to provide meat for the country’s 1.4 million people and mitigate the impacts of the severe weather conditions.
Scope of the Cull
- Total Animals to Be Culled: 723
- Species Affected:
- 30 Hippopotamuses
- 60 Buffaloes
- 50 Impalas
- 100 Blue Wildebeest
- 300 Zebras
- 83 Elephants
- 100 Elands (Antelopes)
Already, over 150 animals have been culled, yielding approximately 63 tonnes of meat.
Rationale Behind the Cull
- Government Statement: The Namibian Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism justified the cull as necessary for utilizing natural resources for the benefit of Namibian citizens. The decision aligns with the country’s constitutional mandate.
- Drought Impact: Namibia is experiencing the worst drought in a century, exacerbated by the return of El Niño, which has led to extreme heat and reduced precipitation.
Impact of the Drought
- Geographical Spread: The drought began in Botswana and has expanded across southern Africa, including Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
- Causes: El Niño and climate change are primary contributors. Rising temperatures and reduced rainfall have led to severe soil moisture deficits and vegetation stress.
Food Security Issues
- Current Situation: Food availability in Namibia is critically low. Staple crops like maize have failed, livestock numbers have plummeted, and food reserves are nearly depleted.
- Statistics:
- 84% of food reserves exhausted
- 1.2 million people face high levels of acute food insecurity
- Consequences: Prices have surged, making food less accessible. Severe acute malnutrition among children and increased vulnerability of women have been reported.
Wildlife Management Concerns
- Potential Conflicts: The government fears that migrating animals could come into conflict with human populations as they search for food and water.
- Current Wildlife Numbers: Namibia is home to approximately 24,000 elephants, one of the largest populations globally.
Objectives of the Cull
- Management Goals: The culling aims to manage grazing pressure and water availability in parks and communal areas where animal numbers exceed resources.
- Sustainability: The United Nations Environment Programme’s Rose Mwebaza emphasized that as long as the culling is conducted using sustainable and scientifically proven methods, and complies with relevant legislation, it should be acceptable.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
1. How many animals are Namibia planning to cull as part of the drought response?
- A) 500
- B) 723
- C) 1000
- D) 1500
- Answer: B) 723
2. Which weather pattern is contributing to the severe drought in Namibia?
- A) La Niña
- B) El Niño
- C) Cyclone
- D) Monsoon
- Answer: B) El Niño
3. What percentage of Namibia’s food reserves are reported to be exhausted?
- A) 50%
- B) 64%
- C) 84%
- D) 90%
- Answer: C) 84%
4. How many elephants are on the culling list in Namibia?
- A) 50
- B) 83
- C) 100
- D) 150
- Answer: B) 83
5. What is the primary goal of the culling besides providing meat?
- A) Reduce tourism impact
- B) Prevent animal migration conflicts
- C) Increase wildlife numbers
- D) Promote conservation
- Answer: B) Prevent animal migration conflicts