Namibia on Wednesday announced that it is putting 170 ‘high value’ wild elephants on auction to reduce instances of human-elephant conflict and due to an increase in the population of the world’s largest mammals.
The other reason, according to the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism is a persistent drought in the region.
Namibia’s wild elephant population has grown from 7,500 in 1995 to 24,000 in 2019 thanks to International support towards a conservation drive. As per a Reuters report, foreign buyers must provide proof of requirements meted out by the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species are met by both the exporting and the importing states.
As per the ad carried in state-owned daily outlet New Era, buyer states must have quarantine facilities for the animals as well as a game-proof fence certificate.
Namibia, like several other African nations, is trying to strike a balance between protecting highly-valued species like elephants and rhinos, and manage the danger that might arise from when the animals encroach into areas of human habitation.
The nations, which is facing a severe drought, auctioned off 1,000 animals from national parks, including 100 buffaloes from Waterberg Plateau Park in central Namibia to ease pressure on grazing land.
