Botswana's Decision to Allow Elephant Hunting is Unacceptable!

Elephants in Mashatu Game Reserve in Botswana

Botswana is known for having one of the largest elephant populations in Africa. Thanks to conservation efforts, the number of elephants in the country rose from 80,000 in 1996 to 129,000 in 2014. From the conservationists' standpoint, this sounds like a godsend. However, despite the success in protecting Botswana's elephants and ensuring their safety, the threat of poaching remains undeterred. Last September, 87 elephants were found ruthlessly slaughtered for their tusks close to a protected sanctuary in the country. Despite this latest incident, the government of Botswana recently announced that it will be lifting the ban on hunting elephants in the country as part of a series of decisions that could have enduring effects on Botswana's conservation efforts. The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, Conservation, and Tourism referred to elephants as "predators" in a letter to reporters and stated that their numbers "appear to have increased." It further added that a subcommittee discovered that conflicts between humans and elephants has increased, harming livestock and people's livelihoods. The announcement marked a sudden withdrawal from the policies of former Botswana president Ian Khama, who halted elephant hunting after statistics showed the population decreasing. The ban came into effect in 2014, but did not stop hunting in certified game ranches in the country. Earlier this month, newly-elected president, Mokgweetsi Masisi, made headlines for giving stools made of elephant feet to leaders from Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. His study group suggested "regular but limited elephant culling," along with setting up elephant meat canning for pet food and other products. In addition, it recommended the government increase Botswana's hunting safari industry. Although the government accepted all suggestions, it declined the idea of regular culling of elephants and the establishment of meat canning. Instead, it suggested for a more sustainable method such as selective cropping should be utilized. The government of Botswana further added that fewer than 400 elephant-hunting licenses will be authorized yearly and that it was planning for "strategically placed human-wildlife conflict fences" and compensation for wildlife damage. In addition, the government also announced that all migration routes that are not considered "beneficial" to the country's conservation efforts would be closed, including an antelope route to South Africa. Botswana's decision brought praise from groups such as Safari Club International (SCI), whose president Paul Babaz called the announcement "heartening." It also sparked strong criticism from conservationists around the world, who took to social media to castigate Botswana's decision. Among them included Paula Kahumba, CEO of WildlifeDirect in Kenya, who called the action "horrific beyond imagination." She further added that hunting was an "archaic way to address the problems of living with mega fauna." A Germany-based organization Pro Wildlife, in its Twitter posting, called it "cruel, outdated, unethical and often undermining."

Elephants in Chobe National Park

I cannot express how shocking and disappointing it is to see that Botswana made such a decision. How can the country's government make such an announcement, especially after a large number of elephants were killed for their tusks near a protected area not long ago? What aggravates me is that this is a clear example about how governmental bureaucrats alone make decisions of what they think is best for the conservation of their country's native wildlife. Just because Botswana's elephant population increased significantly over the years does not mean that the animals should be stripped of their protection status as endangered species. In addition, how can elephants be referred to as "predators?" These majestic animals are herbivorous by nature and while they are capable of killing other animals, including humans, they certainly do not feed on them like real predators such as lions, hyenas, and other carnivores. Furthermore, the government of Botswana should not just close down migration routes they think are not "beneficial" to the country's conservation. There has to be proper and strong scientific proof as to why such migration routes should be closed. Otherwise, they would be closed for nothing and that can have a negative impact on the movement of wildlife. This has got to stop! I strongly urge the government of Botswana to reconsider its decision and join forces with conservation groups and organizations in managing the country's elephant population, as well as its wildlife. Allowing hunting of elephants would fuel the illegal ivory trade and keep the demand for ivory high in various countries. The world has seen enough carnage towards elephants and other endangered species, and it is high time to save them from poaching and other anthropogenic factors that continue to take toll on such magnificent animals.

View article here