Namibian government has launched a controversial animal culling program, targeting over 700 wild animals, including elephants, zebras, and hippos.

The program aims to distribute the meat to those struggling with hunger, as the country grapples with its worst drought in 100 years.

According to the Namibian Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, the culling will be carried out by professional hunters in national parks and communal areas with sustainable game numbers.

“The Ministry will contribute 723 animals comprising 30 Hippos, 60 buffalos, 50 impalas, 100 blue Wilderbeast, 300 Zebras, 83 elephants and 100 elands.

“The animals are sourced from national parks and communal area with sustainable game numbers,” the Ministry spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda, announced in a statement on Monday.

The program also seeks to reduce pressure on water resources and minimize conflicts between humans and elephants.

The drought has left an estimated 1.4 million people, half the population, facing high levels of acute food insecurity.

The government has declared a state of emergency, and the culling program is part of its efforts to alleviate the impacts of drought on the population.

“This offtake will assist in reducing the negative impact of drought on the conservation of wild animals in both our National Parks and Communal areas.

“There is no doubt that drought is affecting most sectors conservation included. This will assist in managing the current grazing pressure and water availability by reducing wildlife numbers in some parks and communal areas where we feel numbers exceed available grazing and water,” the statement added.

Namibia is one of several countries across southern Africa struggling with devastating drought driven by El Niño — a natural climate pattern which has led to sharply reduced rainfall in the region — and exacerbated by the human-caused climate crisis.