Govt allows culling of problem elephants
THE ministry of environment has authorised the shooting of two elephants which damaged infrastructure in the Kalkfeld area last week.
The two elephants have been identified as problem animals, and have been offered to a trophy hunting company for culling.
The ministry of environment's spokesperson Romeo Muyunda today told The Namibian that one of the elephants was already shot dead last Thursday, and that they were hunting for the second one.
Kasamani Kahengombe of Farm Epupa told Nampa on Monday that about 40 elephants have been roaming the area.
He said infrastructure such as water points and fences at about 12 farms has been destroyed, and the affected farmers are unhappy with the pace at which the ministry is handling the matter.
Muyunda on Monday told Nampa that farmers and hunters from Omujeve Hunting Safaris are tracking the two elephants down.
“These elephants have caused damage to property and have also been threatening people's lives, a situation which left the ministry with no choice but to permit these elephants to be culled through trophy hunting,” Muyunda said.
He said N$100 000 will be charged for each elephant, with some of the funds to be deposited into the ministry's Game Products Trust Fund, while the remainder will cover the expenses of the affected farmers.
The meat will be donated to schools and needy people in the surrounding communities.
Source: http://www.namibian.com.na/57787/read/Govt-allows-culling-of-problem-elephants
