Food and Agriculture

Namibia is taking decisive action to manage its wildlife amid a severe drought by planning to cull a total of 723 wild animals. Among those slated for removal are 83 elephants. This initiative aims to provide much-needed meat to local communities struggling with the effects of the prolonged drought. The cull will unfold in both national parks and communal lands, particularly in regions where wildlife populations are deemed to surpass the available grazing areas and dwindling water resources. As the drought continues to…

Farai Maguwu, the Director at the Center for Natural Resource Governance, has voiced strong apprehensions over such a proposal to cull elephants. He fears it would meet with intense backlash, reminiscent of the uproar following Namibia's similar decision. In Zimbabwe, approximately 100,000 elephants roam the land; however, the ecosystem can realistically support around 45,000. Complicating matters further, Zimbabwe faces restrictions on the sale of these majestic creatures due to the regulations set forth by the Convention…