How bad are these "so-called" droughts?

This year Namibia has experienced its worst drought in one hundred years causing major crop failure in the north-east and creating a national food insecurity crisis. The western regions which rely on livestock are also under pressure from the series of droughts in recent years which are contributing to major water scarcity. Yes, people are desperate.

Does Namibia even care for conservation?

The country consists of twelve national parks and 17% of its land surface is protected. The MEFT and other environmental organisations utilise fence systems to prevent human-wildlife conflict with farmers and poachers.

15% of its wild antelope are sold every year to meat hunters to avoid overpopulation which would otherwise have a cascading impact on ecological systems through overgrazing. During a drought, this percentage is raised to keep population growth to a minimum and prevent irreversible wild vegetation damage.

So what is MEFTs plan?

The MEFT plans to cull 640 wild animals (excluding elephants) from five of Namibia's national parks to tackle the national food shortages by providing meat and reduce grazing.

A press release from 26th August revealed 30 hippos, 300 zebras, 100 wildebeest, 60 buffalo, 50 impalas and 100 eland are confirmed to be shot by professional hunters.

Due the scary statistics it easy to assume this is a cold-hearted attack on Africa's most beloved animals but 10% of the countries 3 million animals are already culled yearly as part of its ecological management strategy.

During a seasonal drought, overgrazing is more likely to occur as vegetation is scarce causing inevitable food insecurity. Combined with the lack of precipitation and a potential regime shift from flourishing woodlands or grasslands to dry deserts could occur, making the area inhabitable for most native wildlife.

For those reasons the Namibia's culling procedures are necessary to avoid starvation of the human population but also to protect its ecosystems. It should be viewed as a very minor short-term loss for a long term gain, ecologically speaking.

But what about the elephants? Aren't they endangered?

In Namibia, bushmeat is a common part of their culture and even elephants are on the menu. However, the idea of culling 83 at once has created uproar in the conservation community considering they're endangered (IUCN redlist).

Namibia's western sub-population are of particular value due to their behavioural adaptations to the arid region where raising healthy calves has proven difficult. The press release confirmed although nine of the elephants killed live in nearby regions, the deserts sub-population is protected.

Four of the locations listed for the cull are hotspots for poaching. The MEFT alludes that killing these elephants will prevent human-wildlife conflict in the form of poaching for the illegal ivory trade but many question if this is an effective strategy.

Some would argue the government shooting endangered animals will only encourage poacher activity and reduce their already declining population unnecessarily.

In previous years elephants from these locations have been integrated into the Namibian elephant auction which is a legal programme to remove elephants from high risk areas. It ensures all CITES regulations are met and private buyers follow transport, animal welfare and wildlife protection laws.

Final verdict

These plans will provide long-term stability for Namibia's wildlife and serve as a short-term drought relief. However, it is important to consider the impact of culling an endangered species and to assess the alternative methods of combatting human-wildlife conflict that do not involve fatalities.