Botswana's President Warns of Sending 20,000 Elephants to Germany in Trophy Hunting Conflict
Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi issues a warning to transfer 20,000 elephants to Germany amidst a disagreement regarding hunting trophy imports.
Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi recently warned that he may send 20,000 elephants to Germany. This threat comes as a result of a disagreement over the import of hunting trophies. Masisi made this statement to the German tabloid Bild, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
The African leader expressed disapproval towards the German government, specifically the environment ministry, for wanting to stop the import of trophies despite Botswana having an "overpopulation" of elephants.
Earlier this year, the environment ministry of Germany, led by Steffi Lemke of the Green party, suggested the idea of placing stricter restrictions on the import of hunting trophies because of worries about poaching.
Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi says the country's elephant population has grown to 130,000.
Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi says the country's elephant population has grown to 130,000.
Lenin Nolly/Sipa USA/AP/File
Masisi told Bild that Germany’s Green party could learn to cohabitate with elephants without hunting them.
It's simple to have an opinion about Botswana from Berlin. We are facing the consequences of protecting these animals for everyone, including Lemke's party, Masisi mentioned.
He suggested that Germans should attempt to coexist with the animals, just like they advise us to.
According to Masisi, Botswana has seen its elephant population grow to some 130,000.
Elephants are seen on the Makgadikgadi Basin in Botswana on October 13, 2023. The landlocked southern African country has a landscape defined by the Kalahari Desert and the Okavango Delta, which becomes a lush animal habitat during the seasonal floods.
Elephants can be spotted in the Makgadikgadi Basin in Botswana on October 13, 2023. This landlocked southern African country is characterized by the Kalahari Desert and the Okavango Delta, which transforms into a thriving animal habitat during the seasonal floods.
Murat Ozgur Guvendik/Anadolu/Getty Images
Botswana has taken steps to address the issue of animal overpopulation in the country. President Masisi mentioned that they have already offered 8,000 elephants to Angola and 500 to Mozambique. However, Mozambique has not yet collected the elephants.
President Masisi expressed interest in offering elephants as a gift to Germany. He emphasized that he is determined and persistent in making this offer, stating that he will not accept a refusal.
Botswana’s president argued that conservation efforts have led to an explosion in the elephant population, and hunting is an “important means to keep them in check.”
A rendering of a woolly mammoth. Biotech company Colossal wants to revive the mammoth by creating a hybrid combining its DNA with that of Asian elephants.
A rendering of a woolly mammoth. Biotech company Colossal wants to revive the mammoth by creating a hybrid combining its DNA with that of Asian elephants.
Courtesy Colossal
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Masisi mentioned the issues caused by elephants, such as trampling people, destroying crops, and damaging villages. He believed that banning the import of hunting trophies would not help Botswanans, but instead make them poorer.
Masisi proudly stated that Botswana does more to protect wildlife than any other country globally. He even invited the German minister to visit his country and see the efforts put into wildlife conservation.
CNN reached out to Botswana’s Ministry of Environment and Tourism to get their input.
In 2014, Botswana implemented a ban on trophy hunting in order to support the recovery of declining elephant populations due to poaching and loss of habitats.
The ban on hunting in Botswana was lifted in 2019 due to pressure from local communities. Now, Botswana issues annual hunting quotas.
According to a spokesperson for the German foreign ministry, Botswana has not raised any concerns with the German government regarding this issue. The statement was made during a regular news briefing on Wednesday.
The German environment ministry is continuing discussions with African countries impacted by import regulations, such as Botswana. It was mentioned by ministry spokeswoman Iris Throm.
The ministry stated that Germany is among the top importers of hunting trophies in the EU, with African hunting trophies already needing import approval based on existing regulations.
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call to earth ecotourism safari africa spc_00014408.png
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In 2023, Germany imported a total of nearly 650 hunting trophies, with 26 of them being from African elephants, according to data from Germany’s Federal Agency for Nature Conservation. This highlights the ongoing issue of trophy hunting in Africa.
The ministry is currently talking with the EU about implementing stricter import restrictions that aim to expand the list of protected species, according to Throm.
Mary Rice, who is the executive director of the NGO Environmental Investigation Agency, mentioned to CNN that Masisi's promise is not very meaningful and it is not clear what it would accomplish even if it could be done.
The spat between animal conservationists and hunters is connected to broader concerns about trophy hunting, as explained by Rice.
She believes that regardless of one's stance on hunting for conservation purposes, the hunting industry must address its shortcomings and improve its practices.
Rice pointed out that the industry is mostly self-regulated, lacks transparency, and is vulnerable to rogue behavior.
Masisi's interview with Bild follows his recent caution that a potential hunting trophy import ban in the UK parliament could be seen as a revival of colonial conquests if it is approved.
Trophy hunting does not significantly reduce the elephant population, according to Masisi in an interview with Sky News.
He mentioned that Botswana does not even reach the 400 elephants per year limit set by CITES, a treaty aimed at safeguarding endangered wildlife from the dangers of global trade.
Masisi expressed his strong disapproval towards a potential UK ban, describing it as "condescending." He stated, "I find it unfathomable that you’d be horrified of the protection of ones’ livelihood – rural, poor people, who have allowed 40% of the country to be set aside for conservation – when they defend themselves."
Editor's P/S:
The dispute between Botswana and Germany over elephant hunting highlights the complex ethical and conservation challenges surrounding wildlife management. Botswana's President Masisi's threat to send 20,000 elephants to Germany underscores his frustration with the German government's stance on trophy hunting, which he believes is detrimental to Botswana's efforts to control its elephant population.
Masisi's comments also raise broader questions about the role of trophy hunting in wildlife conservation and the ethical implications of killing animals for sport. While some argue that hunting can provide economic incentives for local communities to protect wildlife, others contend that it is a cruel and unnecessary practice that contributes to the decline of endangered species. The ongoing debate between animal conservationists and hunters highlights the need for a nuanced approach to wildlife management that balances the interests of both humans and animals.
