Botswana threatens to send 20,000 elephants to Germany

Botswana's President, Mokgweetsi Masisi, has sparked controversy by threatening to send 20,000 elephants to Germany amidst a disagreement over the import of hunting trophies.

According to a report on The Guardian, the dispute stems from Germany's consideration of stricter limits on trophy imports due to concerns about poaching. However, President Masisi argues that such restrictions would negatively impact Botswanan communities, as hunting serves as a vital means of elephant population control.

Despite Botswana's ban on trophy hunting in 2014, lifted in 2019 under pressure from locals, the country now faces challenges with elephant herds damaging property and crops, as well as posing risks to residents.

President Masisi expressed frustration with outside opinions, stating, "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."

Botswana, home to the world's largest elephant population, has already offered elephants to Angola and Mozambique to address overpopulation issues. Now, Germany faces the possibility of receiving a substantial gift of elephants.

However, the German Environment Ministry has not received formal communication from Botswana on the matter. Discussions regarding import restrictions within the EU continue, with a focus on ensuring sustainability and legality in trophy imports.

[With information sourced from The Guardian]