Botswana threatens to send 20,000 elephants to Germany

Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi has threatened to send 20,000 elephants to Germany amid a row between countries over the import of hunting trophies.

Botswana threatens to send 20,000 elephants to Germany Picture 1 Botswana threatens to send 20,000 elephants to Germany Picture 1

Bild newspaper (Germany) on April 2 quoted the leader of Botswana as affirming that this was not a joke.

Mr. Masisi criticized the German government and especially the country's environment ministry for seeking to ban the import of hunting trophies, despite the large number of elephants in Botswana. 'We are paying the price of preserving these animals for the world,' he said.

President Masisi said Botswana has about 130,000 elephants. According to BBC (UK), about 1/3 of the world's elephants live in Botswana. This country has transferred 8,000 animals to Angola.

Mr. Masisi declared: 'We also want to make such a proposal to the Federal Republic of Germany. We won't take no for an answer. We want elephants to roam freely. If you like them that much, please accept this gift from us.'

Botswana banned trophy hunting in 2014 but in 2019 lifted restrictions. There are now annual hunting quotas for license holders.

As for Germany, a spokesman for the country's environment ministry shared: 'In the face of alarming biodiversity loss, we have a special responsibility to act to ensure the import of hunting trophies. shooting takes place sustainably and legally'. According to the spokesperson, the ministry is still negotiating with African countries affected by the import regulations, including Botswana.

According to a 2021 report by Human Society International, Germany is the largest importer of African elephant hunting trophies in the European Union (EU). According to the BBC, France, Belgium and Australia are among the countries that have banned the trade in hunting trophies.

Animal protection organization PETA supports plans to limit and possibly ban the import of hunting trophies. A spokesperson for PETA said: 'The huge amount of money that amateur hunters spend on a hunting trip does not go to poor people or national park management boards, but mostly falls into the pockets of public companies. tour operators and hunting ranchers'.

Previously, Botswana officials had opposed the possibility of Britain issuing a ban on hunters importing hunting trophies. In March, Botswana warned that it would send 10,000 elephants to London's Hyde Park.

Trophy hunting is the hunting of large animals such as rhinos, elephants, lions, leopards and bears. under official government license, for entertainment. Hunters often keep as souvenirs the heads, skins or any other body parts of the animals they hunt. There are many restrictions that apply to trophy hunting related to animal, location, and weapon.