Drought forces Namibia to auction 1,000 wild animals

Drought-stricken Namibia has approved the sale of at least 1,000 wild animals including elephants and giraffes to limit loss of life and generate $1.1 million for nature conservation.

The Guardian reported that Namibian authorities declared a national disaster last month, while the weather services of the South African nation estimate that some parts of the country have been facing the deadliest drought in 90 years.

Read also: Trump’s top press secretary Sarah Sanders steps down

Namibia’s Cabinet announced this week that the government will sell about 1,000 wild animals. 65 Oryx, 60 giraffes, 35 elands, 28 elephants, 20 impalas and 16 kudus, from national parks.

The goal is to raise $1.1 million for a state trust fund for wildlife and park management products.

In April, an agriculture ministry report said 63,700 animals died in 2018 because of deteriorating grazing conditions brought on by dry weather.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now