Drought-prone Namibia auctions 170 elephants

WINDHOEK, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Namibia said Wednesday it is auctioning 170 wild elephants to reduce incidence of human-elephant conflict and the population of the world's largest land mammals.

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism put up an advert in the state-owned English-language daily New Era, saying that the "high value" wild elephants were also being sold due to a persistent drought.

Tenderers who wish to export the animals must provide official proof that their respective conservation authorities will permit them to export elephants.

The buyers must also ensure that Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species requirements are met by both exporting and importing states for the trade to be authorised.

All bids for the elephants must be left in sealed envelopes at the ministry by Jan. 29, 2021, the advert said.

Namibia has enjoyed international support for a conservation drive that has seen its elephant population grow from just over 7,500 in 1995 to 24,000 last year, according to government figures.

In October, the country put 70 female and 30 male buffalos from Waterberg Plateau Park in central Namibia up for sale in a bid to ease pressure on grazing land.