Earlier this year there was a plan in Zambia to cull 400 hippos annually over the next five years.
Conservationists questioned its scientific basis, which Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) said was to help stop the spread of anthrax among wildlife in an area of riverine forest between North and South Luangwa.
After much controversy, the cull was suspended on 14 June to allow further consultation.
However, following a meeting in Lusaka on 22 June it now appears that the cull is set to resume.
The meeting was attended by the Ministry of Tourism & Arts, DNPW, Mabwe Adventures and the Luangwa Safari Association.
Will Travers, president and CEO of the Born Free Foundation, said, “We are asking for urgent clarification on a number of key issues and the publication of all scientific evidence that might support such drastic measures.”
