Should drought stricken African countries resort to wildlife for food?
Drought has led to the deaths of animals and crops across Southern Africa this year
Africa Daily · BBC World Service
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Show Notes
“I have eaten elephant meat. I have eaten hippo meat. I think what is food depends on where you are” – Romeo Muyunda, Namibia’s Department of Environment, Forestry and Tourism The drought, which became worse earlier this year, has seen crops being wiped out and animals dying across Southern Africa. As a result, 68 million people have been affected, with some now facing hunger. It’s reached a point where countries like Namibia are now resorting to slaughtering wild animals such as hippos, elephants and zebras, to feed their people. But animal rights groups are up in arms saying this will lead to all sorts of problems in ecosystems. Presenter Alan Kasujja and producer Mpho Lakaje take a closer look at several countries across the region to see which ones are badly affected. They also hear from Romeo Muyunda of Namibia’s Department of Environment, Forestry and Tourism as well as John Stegling from Botswana’s Department of Meteorological Services.