Why Botswana threatened Germany with 20,000 elephants
Botswanans struggle to live with elephants and the number of elephants in the country has approximately surged to 130,000.
Recommended articles
President Masisi expressed his frustration with Germany's stance, stating, "It is very easy to sit in Berlin and have an opinion about our affairs in Botswana."
He insisted that Germans should understand the challenges of living alongside elephants, as Botswana grapples with what he termed an "elephant plague."
The dispute stems from Germany's concerns about poaching and proposals for stricter limits on trophy imports. President Masisi defended hunting as a necessary tool for managing elephant populations in Botswana, where numbers have surged to approximately 130,000.
Speaking to German daily Bild, President Masisi criticised the proposal put forward by the German Environment Ministry, headed by Steffi Lemke of the Green party.
He asserted, "We are paying the price for preserving these animals for the world, and even for Lemke's party."
Botswana has openly opposed the proposed restrictions, offering thousands of elephants to neighboring countries in an effort to address what Masisi described as a crisis.
He emphasized, "This is not a joke," adding, "I would not take no for an answer."
The president highlighted the challenges faced by local communities, including property damage, crop consumption, and safety concerns posed by elephant herds. He argued that a ban on trophy imports would exacerbate these issues and harm Botswanan livelihoods.
Despite Botswana's objections, the German Environment Ministry indicated that no formal grievances had been raised directly. However, discussions between the two nations are ongoing as part of broader EU deliberations on wildlife protection and hunting practices.
With tensions mounting, the prospect of thousands of elephants being sent to Germany underscores the urgency of resolving the conservation dispute.
This content was created with the help of an AI model and verified by the writer.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng