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After learning that the Namibian government has already slaughtered over 150 wild animals and intends to butcher 700 more, including 83 elephants, 30 hippos, and 300 zebras, PETA has spoken out against this cruel proposal in a letter to Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila of Namibia.
The Reality Behind Namibia’s Slaughter Plan
The government’s plan to slaughter over 700 wild animals is a misguided attempt to address complex issues like drought and human-wildlife conflicts. The country claims that the slaughter will provide meat for its starving population due to the ongoing drought. The plan is not only cruel but also dangerously shortsighted and will have no long-term impact on these complex problems. Furthermore, Namibia’s wild animals, who live in the country’s national parks, rely on completely different water sources than those used for humans and the animal agriculture industry, invalidating any claims that they compete for water sources.
The risks of butchering and consuming wild animals extend far beyond Namibia’s borders. SARS, HIV, Ebola, and the recent COVID-19 pandemic are all stark reminders of the dangers of zoonotic diseases, which can jump from animals to humans. Namibia’s plan not only puts its own population at risk but also threatens global public health by increasing the likelihood of another pandemic.
Hidden Motives and Long-Term Consequences
Because the plan is so blatantly short-sighted, there are growing suspicions that the slaughter may be driven by motives other than feeding the hungry. Reports suggest that trophy hunters are being allowed to kill some of these animals for a fee, raising concerns that profit may be a driving factor in these cruel plans.
The ecological consequences of this massacre could be devastating. Elephants, for example, are highly intelligent animals with intricate social structures. The killing of even a few elephants could devastate entire herds, leading to increased mortality among survivors and more frequent and dangerous human-animal conflicts.
A Call for Compassionate Solutions
Rather than resorting to the callous killing of wildlife, there is a need for long-term, sustainable solutions. The current drought and the climate catastrophe are matters of global concern, and PETA has urged Namibia to collaborate with international organizations to develop strategies that address the underlying issues without resorting to violence against animals.
Please sign below to urge the Namibian government to reconsider its cruel plans and put a stop to the proposed slaughter.