Botswana’s president has threatened Germany with 20,000 elephants over a conservation dispute. According to the BBC, President Mokgweetsi Masisi made the warning in reaction to Germany’s environment ministry proposing a stricter import ban on hunting trophies.
According to a 2021 research by Humane Society International, Germany is the EU’s leading importer of African elephants and hunting trophies. The European country is alleged to have made the aforementioned suggestion earlier this year.
In an interview with German news agency Bild, Masisi stated that imposing a stricter cap would lower living standards in Botswana. Masisi noted that conservation initiatives have led to a large increase in elephant populations, making hunting an important tool for regulating them.
Botswana’s president has threatened Germany with 20,000 elephants over a conservation dispute. According to the BBC, President Mokgweetsi Masisi made the warning in reaction to Germany’s environment ministry proposing a stricter import ban on hunting trophies.
According to a 2021 research by Humane Society International, Germany is the EU’s leading importer of African elephants and hunting trophies. The European country is alleged to have made the aforementioned suggestion earlier this year.
In an interview with German news agency Bild, Masisi stated that imposing a stricter cap would lower living standards in Botswana. Masisi noted that conservation initiatives have led to a large increase in elephant populations, making hunting an important tool for regulating them.
“We would like to offer such a gift to Germany,” Masisi stated. He further stated that he would not accept no as an answer.
Masisi’s declaration follows a threat made by Southern African Wildlife Minister Dumezweni Mthimkhulu in March to deploy 10,000 elephants to London’s Hyde Park. Mthimkhulu stated that this would allow people in Britain to “have a taste of living alongside” the mammals.
In March, UK MPs supported a proposal to ban the import of hunting trophies, according to the BBC. Southern African countries, such as Botswana, rely heavily on trophy hunting, charging wealthy Westerners exorbitant fees to participate lawfully.
Trophy hunting revenue is used to fund conservation initiatives and local communities, according to authorities. They claimed it limits poaching.
“In certain locations, these monsters outnumber humans. They are killing youngsters who cross their path. “They trample and eat farmers’ crops, leaving Africans hungry,” Mthimkhulu claimed.
Animal rights groups have advocated for a ban on trophy hunting, citing its cruelty.