There has been a dispute between Botswana and Germany for months. The reason: 20,000 elephants. First the African country wanted to give us the animals, now it wants to kill them.
Over 130,000 elephants live in Botswana – and therefore a third of all elephants that live in the African savannah. But this mass of animals also causes a lot of problems in the country: they devastate villages, trample important raw materials and sometimes endanger human lives. After a ban on shooting was issued in 2014 to protect species such as elephants, the turning point followed five years later. In 2019, the government will release the pachyderms for shooting again.
Since then, hunting elephants in Botswana has not only been legal, but also an important source of income. Around 50 communities would earn around two million euros a year from hunting tourists. In fact, according to the WWF, trophy hunting is even part of nature conservation in exceptional cases.
President of Botswana after 20,000 elephant threat: “I thought you had more humor”
02:52 mins
Important source of income for Botswana at risk
The Greens in Germany have been planning a far-reaching ban on imports of hunting trophies for two years. The reason: animal protection. In particular, the Green Environment Minister Steffi Lemke is calling for further restrictions. As an advocate, however, she is causing offense in the African countries where the pachyderms come from. That’s why Botswana’s Environment Minister Mthimkhulu decided in March to invite the German Environment Minister to see the current situation for herself – but she declined due to time constraints.
There is great concern in the country because in January the Belgian parliament decided to ban the import of endangered species. Other countries and thus also an important source of income could do the same as Belgium. In February, the Namibian Environment Minister also addressed Minister Lemke and strongly condemned her interference. In his opinion, it was unlawful interference in the economic affairs of individual states.
The last giant elephants
Photographer is deeply impressed: “If there was an elephant queen, it would definitely be her”
A gift for the Environment Minister
The situation worsened in April this year when Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi suggested that Germany take in 20,000 elephants. The country can hardly cope with the number of animals – the animals are increasingly becoming a problem. Not only because they endanger villages, but also because the Greens’ plans will result in the loss of an important source of income.
Now President Masisi has announced that he will take the matter into his own hands and have the 20,000 elephants shot. In an interview with the “Bild” newspaper, he explains: “As you know, in April of this year Botswana, with the greatest respect, offered Germany 20,000 of our elephants.” Masisi never received a response.
Botswana is currently struggling with a severe drought. According to President Masisi, it is the worst drought in 50 years. This has a negative impact on both people and animals. To protect his country from this, he proclaims: “Our people are starving. The elephants are in danger of dying. If our people are starving, we have a duty to feed them. And I can tell you openly: they eat elephants too.” In the direction of Germany, he explains that he is sorry, but he has no choice but to feed his people with some, if not all, of these elephants. It is still unclear when the first animals will be killed.
Note: This article first appeared on RTL.de
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
