Written by: Israa Ahmed Fouad
Wednesday, April 3, 2024 10:20 AM
Head view BotswanaMokweetsi Masisi, sent 20,000 elephants to Germany after the European country’s environment ministry called for limiting imports of poached elephant tusks.
Masisi told the German newspaper “Bild” that this step would have a major economic impact on his country, which is being overrun by increasing numbers of elephants as a result of environmental conservation efforts.
He pointed out that herds of these huge animals destroyed crops, caused damage to property, and ran over people. Last year, a herd of elephants trampled to death a Botswana soldier.
Masisi added that hunting helps keep their numbers under control and provides important sources of income for some residents, saying: “Germans should try living with these animals… We would like to offer such a gift to Germany,” stressing that he is not joking and wants to send 20,000 elephants to European country.
Botswana banned elephant hunting in 2014, but later lifted restrictions in 2019 after pressure from local communities. There are now annual hunting quotas for those who have a license to kill these animals.
More than 130,000 elephants roam Botswana, about a third of the world’s elephant population. The African country has previously given 8,000 elephants to countries such as Angola, and has also provided hundreds more to Mozambique to reduce the number of elephants.
Germany is the European Union’s largest importer of elephant ivory tusks, according to a 2021 report issued by the International Humane Society.
A spokeswoman for the German Environment Ministry said that Botswana had not raised its concerns about this measure with German officials. “In light of the alarming loss of biodiversity, we have a special responsibility to do everything we can to ensure the import of elephant tusks is sustainable and legal,” she added.
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