I will not come 83 elephants and 640 other wild animals of Govt to kill The project has created an intense controversy at the international level.
This project is designed so that the meat of these animals can be fed to people.
The British High Commissioner in the country is among those backing the idea, but environmentalists are calling it a ‘huge disaster’ for Africa’s wildlife.
According to the local environment ministry, a severe famine in South Africa has left some citizens facing food shortages, prompting hunters to be called in to kill animals. It is understood that the mass slaughter (of the animals) has already begun, and the elephants are to be killed this week.
Professional hunters and government-contracted companies have already hunted 157 animals, yielding more than 56,800 kg of meat.
Officials say nearly half of Namibia’s population will face malnutrition in the months following the famine.
Apart from 83 elephants, the animals to be killed in national parks and communal areas include 30 hippos, 60 buffaloes, 50 impala deer, 100 wild Nile cows, 300 zebras and 100 wildebeests.
The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Tourism said, “This action will help mitigate the negative impact of drought on the conservation of wild animals in our national parks and communal areas.”
He said that if no intervention is done, conflicts between humans and wildlife are expected to increase.
British High Commissioner Charles Moore wrote on social media: ‘Namibia is very responsible in its use of natural resources. None of these species are going extinct, so this is a good and logical solution that will help meet the immediate needs of over 300,000 people. Sheltering animals will do no good.’
But the number of elephants there is disputed. Namibia’s elephant population is declining, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List classifies African elephants as rare or critically endangered, says Cape Town-based wildlife investigative journalist Adam Kruse.
However, according to the latest World Population Review estimates, there are over 24,000 elephants in Namibia, at a population growth rate of 5.36% a year.
A report by African conservationists and scientists says the killing of animals is due to upcoming national elections and there is no consideration of environmental protection or food safety behind it.
The experts remain anonymous in the report because they say they face serious threats, many of whom have been threatened or subjected to measures such as ‘cancellation of permits, deportation, Or worse.’
The report warns that ‘this repressive environment unfortunately leads to media organizations often publishing government statements and strategies, while ignoring the opposing views of environmentalists. are.’
The authors warn that killing animals will have a negative impact on tourism, and that cattle do not graze in national parks, so killing animals there will not help farmers who are outside such areas, as the ministry insists. is doing
The report said: ‘When elephants are victims of pogroms, which usually involve entire families including (elephant) young children, this makes matters worse, both human and elephant. The conflict increases, not decreases. Those elephants that do survive are thought to suffer long-term trauma from seeing other members of their family being shot.’
The ministry said in its announcement: ‘This process is necessary and in line with our constitutional mandate where our natural resources are used for the benefit of Namibian citizens.
‘It’s also a great example of how wildlife conservation really pays off.
An elephant walks past plants in a park in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu on July 30, 2024 (Photo: Idris Muhammad/AFP)
‘The benefits of wild animal meat are also being extended to rural communities, particularly those living in protected areas.
Dr Cruz told the BBC: ‘It’s somewhat insulting (the defendant) to throw a bit of animal meat at hungry, poor people who are just barely getting by and who don’t have enough money. No meaningful progress is being made in terms of employment opportunities or general social development.’
According to elephant biologist Dr. Keith Lindsay, the killing will only provide short-term relief and set a dangerous precedent for relying on wildlife to solve human problems.
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He said: ‘If this practice is adopted and normalised, it is very likely that there will be continued pressure on vulnerable wildlife populations, which will be intolerable in shrinking areas of natural habitat.’
‘There is also the risk that this process will give neighboring countries a strong argument to do the same, which could trigger a huge disaster.’
The UK-based Action for Elephants warned that ‘similar projects on a larger scale’ could be carried out by ‘irresponsible governments’ across Africa.
The organization said: ‘If other countries in Africa, where wildlife is already in decline, see that this time there is no action, no protest, and no consequences, they will They will also dare to do the same thing.’
In a letter to the Ministry, Isaac Smith of the Human Relations Aid organization Desert Lions wrote: ‘It has become clear that the issue of human-wildlife conflict has become a very useful tool and excuse to facilitate corruption and dark agendas. can be hidden from, one of which is to justify such a victim when it is not justified.’
He said that the communities in the western regions (of Namibia) are suffering from more poverty and hunger than the communities that will get the meat (from this hunting).
The Independent has contacted the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Tourism for comment.
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#Namibias #plan #kill #elephants #major #global #controversy
2024-09-10 19:44:53
What are the long-term ecological impacts of Namibia’s decision to cull 723 wild animals in response to drought and famine?
Table of Contents
Namibia’s Controversial Wildlife Cull: A Deadly Solution to Drought and Famine?
Namibia has sparked international outrage with its decision to cull 723 wild animals, including 83 elephants, 300 zebras, and 100 wildebeests, in response to a severe drought and famine that has left nearly half of its population facing malnutrition [1[1[1[1[1[1[1[1]. The cull, which has already begun, aims to provide meat to rural communities, but conservationists are calling it a “huge disaster” for Africa’s wildlife and a “short-term solution” that will have long-term devastating consequences [2[2[2[2[2[2[2[2].
Government’s Justification
According to the Namibian Ministry of Environment, Forests and Tourism
**Controversy Surrounds Namibia’s Plan to Cull 723 Wild Animals Amid Drought**
Controversy Surrounds Namibia’s Plan to Cull 723 Wild Animals Amid Drought
In a move that has sparked outrage among conservationists and animal lovers, the Namibian government has announced plans to cull 723 wild animals, including 83 elephants, to feed its citizens amid a severe drought [1[1]. The cull, which has already resulted in the death of over 150 animals, has been widely condemned by conservationists and animal welfare organizations, including PETA, which has described the plan as “cruel” [1[1].
The Namibian government has defended the move, citing the need to mitigate the negative impact of drought on the conservation of wild animals in national parks and communal areas [2[2]. According to the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Tourism, the cull will help to reduce conflicts between humans and wildlife, which are expected to increase if no intervention is taken [2[2].
However, conservationists and scientists have disputed the government’s claims, arguing that the cull is a political move ahead of national elections and has no consideration for environmental protection or food safety [3[3]. They warn that the killing of animals will have a negative impact on tourism and will not help farmers who are outside national parks [3[3].
The British High Commissioner in Namibia, Charles Moore, has backed the government’s plan, stating that Namibia is “very responsible in its use of natural resources” and that none of the species being culled are going extinct [2[2]. However, conservationists have disputed this claim, pointing out that the African elephant is classified as rare or critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List [2[2].
The animals to be culled include 30 hippos, 60 buffaloes, 50 impala deer, 100 wild Nile cows, 300 zebras, and 100 wildebeests, in addition to the 83 elephants [2[2]. Professional hunters and government-contracted companies have already hunted 157 animals, yielding over 56,800 kg of meat [2[2].
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the cull has sparked intense controversy at the international level, with many calling for a more sustainable and humane solution to address the drought and its impact on Namibia’s wildlife.
References:
[1] Newsweek. (2024). ‘Cruel’ Plan to Kill 850 Wild Animals Condemned by PETA.
[2] Conservation Namibia. (2024). Namibia’s decision to cull 723 wild animals to feed its population.
[3] Africa Geographic. (2024). Conservationists condemn Namibia’s plan to cull 723 wild animals amid drought.
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