Namibia is planning to cull 723 wild animals, including 83 elephants, to distribute meat to people struggling to feed themselves because of a severe drought.

The slaughter will take place in parks and communal areas where authorities believe animal numbers exceed available grazing land and water supplies, the environment ministry said.

There is no need to slaughter wild creatures just to feed desperate people. Providing nutritious grains, legumes, fruits, pulses and root vegetables is more efficient - and far more humane.

We ask that the Namibian government find an alternative to killing innocent wild animals to feed its hungry population.