Namibia authorities promise safety checks after buffalo herd drowns fleeing lions near Botswana border, sparking community concern, as they ask citizen to consume the meat.
Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has ordered the distribution of meat from 90 buffaloes that drowned in the Zambezi region, assuring residents that the process will be safe and supervised.
The buffaloes reportedly plunged into a river while fleeing lions from Botswana’s Chobe National Park, according to officials. A local farmer discovered the carcasses, prompting the ministry to intervene.
Environment and Tourism Minister Indileni Daniel told parliament that the meat would be distributed to surrounding communities under police supervision. She stressed that the allocation will be strictly for personal consumption and not for commercial sale.
“This was a natural occurrence, the third in the last five years,” Daniel said. “While we cannot yet verify whether the meat has been tested, experts are involved, and we trust their professional judgment.”
Some lawmakers, however, voiced public health concerns. Parliamentarian Lilian Lutuhezi pressed the ministry to confirm whether veterinary tests had been conducted. She recalled a previous incident in which meat from drowned buffaloes was later found to be contaminated with foot-and-mouth disease.
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Frederick Shitana of the Affirmative Repositioning movement warned that buffaloes are natural carriers of the disease and urged caution before distributing the meat to households.
Daniel assured lawmakers that community safety remains a priority. “Measures are in place to address these concerns, and a full report will be shared once it is finalized,” she said.
The Zambezi region, which borders Botswana, is home to roughly 11,900 buffaloes, according to ministry data. Animal drownings are not uncommon in the area’s wetlands and floodplains, where wildlife migrates seasonally and often encounters predators.
Officials say assessments have been carried out to prevent similar mass drownings, but no viable solution has been found that would not disrupt the natural flow of rivers.
The ministry framed the distribution as part of its commitment to ensure communities benefit from wildlife management, particularly in conservancy areas. Police officers are overseeing the process to ensure fairness, compliance with health guidelines, and public order.
The incident has renewed debate in Namibia over balancing wildlife conservation, public health, and the livelihoods of rural communities who rely on such meat distributions during crises.
