Maria David
THE Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism will proceed with the auction of 170 elephants following an increase in incidents of human-wildlife conflict.
Ministry spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda, said the removal of 170 elephants would amount to less than 1% of the Namibian elephant population in communal areas, which grows at a 5% rate per year.
Muyunda further stated that Namibia has seen its overall elephant population increasing from around 7,500 in 1995 to 24,000 in 2019.
In 2020 alone, elephants killed two cattle and have chased thousands of livestock away from water points, as well as damaged 3,346 hectares of crops in rural areas, which threatens food security.
Furthermore, the elephants have damaged several water infrastructure and fences and have left one person disable.
Muyunda explained that the elephants will not be removed from conservancies and the National Park, but rather from communal and commercial farming areas.
He indicated there are 60 elephants in the Omatjete area, including the Kalkveld meta population, while Kamanjab has a population of 120 elephants.
In those areas, a total 80 elephants will be sold, with Kamanjab giving up at least 50 of its problematic elephants.
“In the area of Grootfontein-Kavango Cattle Ranch, there are 130 elephants and 60 will be sold, while 30 out of 70 in the Gootfobtein-Tsumkwe area will be sold,” concluded Muyunda.
