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Should drought stricken African countries resort to wildlife for food?

Countries like Namibia are now planning to slaughter animals such as elephants, hippos and buffalos to feed their people

鈥淚 have eaten elephant meat. I have eaten hippo meat. I think what is food depends on where you are鈥 鈥 Romeo Muyunda, Namibia鈥檚 Department of Environment, Forestry and Tourism

The drought, which became worse earlier this year, has seen crops being wiped out and animals dying across Southern Africa.

As a result, 68 million people have been affected, with some now facing hunger.

It鈥檚 reached a point where countries like Namibia are now resorting to slaughtering wild animals such as hippos, elephants and zebras, to feed their people.

But animal rights groups are up in arms saying this will lead to all sorts of problems in ecosystems.

Presenter Alan Kasujja and producer Mpho Lakaje take a closer look at several countries across the region to see which ones are badly affected.

They also hear from Romeo Muyunda of Namibia鈥檚 Department of Environment, Forestry and Tourism as well as John Stegling from Botswana鈥檚 Department of Meteorological Services.

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19 minutes

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