Namibian authorities have begun slaughtering more than 700 wild animals of various species to feed a hungry population hit by the country’s worst drought in decades.

About 160 animals were slaughtered as part of a measure announced by the government last week to provide meat for thousands of people, according to Romeo Muyunda, spokesman for Namibia’s environment ministry.

Professional hunters were contracted to kill 30 hippos, 83 elephants, 60 buffalo, 100 wildebeest, 300 zebra, 100 eland and 50 impala (two types of antelope).
Last month, the United Nations World Food Program announced that some 1.4 million Namibians, more than half the population, face severe food insecurity.