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Namibia is putting 170 live elephants up for sale to curb the growth of tusk populations under pressure from drought and land conflict with humans.
An advertisement for the sale of 170 “high-value” elephants was published Wednesday by a state newspaper, New Era.
The ministry says the elephants are being sold “due to the drought and the increase in elephant numbers along with the incidence of human-elephant conflict.”
The sparsely populated, semi-arid country in southern Africa is home to some 28,000 elephants, according to official estimates.
Environment Minister Pohamba Shifeta told AFP that the government backed the policy of selling live animals after being criticized for shooting elephants to control overcrowding.
“We decided, after researching, to sell them instead,” he said.
The elephant population had dropped to around 5,000 animals by the time of independence in 1990, but it increased dramatically thanks to a globally praised conservation program.
The ad said that the pachyderms for sale would comprise entire herds to preserve the important social fabric in elephant communities: babies or youngsters will not be left behind.
Shifeta cautioned that Namibia would not recklessly sell the elephants to buyers, saying “we have to make sure the country is conducive.”
For export purposes, buyers must ensure that exporting and importing states meet CITES requirements for trade to be authorized, according to the notice.
In October, 100 wild buffalo went up for sale in Namibia.
Last year, the government offered for sale around 1,000 animals, including 600 buffalo, 150 gazelles, 60 giraffes and 28 elephants.
