Elephants, zebras, hippos among more than 700 animals being killed for meat in drought-stricken Namibia

Namibia has authorized the culling of hundreds of animals, including elephants, as part of a plan to feed people in the drought-stricken southern African country. 

About half of Namibia's population is experiencing acute food insecurity, the United Nations said last month. Meat from the 723 culled animals will be distributed as part of a drought relief program, the country's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism announced Monday.

"This exercise [is] necessary and is in line with our constitutional mandate where our natural resources are used for the benefit of Namibian citizens," the ministry said.