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Namibia has announced plans to cull 723 wild animals to feed parts of its population as it grapples with its worst drought in 100 years.

Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism said 30 hippos, 60 buffalo, 50 impalas, 100 blue wildebeests, 300 zebras, 83 elephants, and 100 elands will be killed, with the ‘humanely hunted’ animals allocated to people struggling with food insecurity.

According to the notice, “professional hunters and safari outfitters” would carry out the culling in “national parks and communal areas with sustainable game numbers,” where the population is outpacing the available pasture and water supplies.

The culling is anticipated to yield tens of thousands of kilogrammes of game meat, which will be distributed to those experiencing food insecurity by the Namibian government as part of its drought relief program.

‘With the severe drought situation in the country, human and wildlife conflicts are expected to increase if no interventions are made.”

‘This exercise in necessary and is in line with our constitutional mandate where our natural resources are used for the benefit of Namibian citizens.”

Additionally, the culling “will assist in reducing the negative impact of drought on the conservation of wild animals in both our national parks and communal areas,” the announcement said.

More than 150 animals have already been killed, providing more than 125,000 pounds of meat, the ministry said.

“We are happy that we can assist the country in this very difficult time and when its absolutely needed.”