Botswana's president threatens to relocate 20,000 elephants to Germany amid poaching dispute
A political rift between Botswana and Germany has escalated as Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi threatens to relocate 20,000 elephants to Germany.
The dispute stems from Germany's environment ministry's proposal earlier this year for stricter limits on importing hunting trophies due to poaching concerns. However, President Masisi argues that such restrictions would adversely affect Botswana's economy and people.
"It is very easy to sit in Berlin and have an opinion about our affairs in Botswana. We are paying the price for preserving these animals for the world," President Masisi expressed to Bild, emphasizing Botswana's conservation efforts.
President Masisi contends that conservation efforts have led to an explosion in elephant numbers and that controlled hunting serves to manage the population, which often causes property damage, and crop consumption, and poses risks to residents.
Botswana, home to over 130,000 elephants, has previously relocated thousands to neighbouring countries like Angola and Mozambique to address overpopulation issues.
"We would like to offer such a gift to Germany… it was not a joke and we would not take no for an answer," Masisi asserted, highlighting Botswana's determination to address the elephant population crisis.
In a similar vein, Botswana's wildlife minister, Dumezweni Mthimkhulu, threatened to send 10,000 elephants to Britain's Hyde Park after members of the UK Parliament voted in favour of a ban on importing hunting trophies in March. "They are killing children who get in their path. They trample and eat farmers’ crops leaving Africans hungry," Mthimkhulu said.
A number of nations, including Belgium, France, and Australia, have outlawed the sale of hunting trophies. The Southern African nation banned trophy hunting in 2014 but lifted restrictions in 2019 due to pressure from local communities. The country has even explored unconventional solutions like using elephants for pet food.
Over the years, elephant numbers in Botswana have surged from fewer than 10,000 in the early 1960s to 50,000 by 1990, and 80,000 by the mid-1990s.
