CNN —Drought is now so bad in parts of southern Africa that governments say they must kill hundreds of their most captivating, majestic wild animals to feed desperately hungry people. In August, Namibia announced it had embarked on a cull of 723 animals, including 83 elephants, 30 hippos and 300 zebras. Crops have failed, livestock has died and nearly 70 million people are desperately in need of food. They say it’s the opposite: reducing numbers will help protect remaining animals as the drought shrinks food and water resources. Both Namibia and Zimbabwe say professional hunters will ensure entire groups are killed to prevent this.

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Persons: —, Badru Katumba, El Niño, ”, Elizabeth Mrema, Mrema, Chris Brown, ” Brown, It’s, Romeo Muyunda, ” Muyunda, Brown, Izak Smit, Zinyange Auntony, Farai Maguwu, ” Maguwu, Elisabeth Valerio, Maguwu, Megan Carr, Keith Lindsay, Muyunda, “ Organizations: CNN, Getty, United Nations Environment, “, Namibian Chamber, Environment, Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry, Tourism, Desert Lions Human Relations, for Natural Resource, cullings, EMS Foundation, Martin Locations: Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Europe, Murchison, Uganda, AFP, Damaraland, Kaokoland, slaughterhouses, Namibian, Dete, Hwange, Hwange Park, African, Halali, Etosha