Ever since they were left in the desert after World War II, Namibia's population of feral horses has dwindled. Kept alive by strong survival instincts and well-meaning humans, the groups of feral horses managed to persist in the inhospitable, highly-specific environment.
A few years ago however, hyenas came back to the area and found water that had been kept flowing for the horses and the horses, a rich source of food. And the hyenas decided to stay.
Preying mainly on the foals, the sick and the older horses, hyenas have decimated an already stressed species. In 7 years only one foal survived and it is now in grave peril. That is why the government has decided not to move the horses to safety, no. Not to fence them in and provide them with guard dogs, for example. Not to let nature take its course. No.
The Namibian government has decided to cull the hyenas.
A species that is considered at risk in Namibia, that has recently returned to an area and that could easily bring tourists and money, a species that has every right to be there is being killed for a handful of feral horses.
Charismatic, domestic species are being chosen over native, endangered species.
Condemned by all researchers in the area, the Namibian government has made a huge mistake this time and the hyena cull must not be continued. Please, reconsider the approval of this detrimental plan and let the wild hyenas live!
