As the conflict between humans and animals hasn’t reached its peak so far, Botswana decide to lift a ban on elephant hunting. The ban was imposed in 2014.
Motivating their decision, those who were against it said the restriction was causing problems to small farmers and as well to those who previously benefited from hunting, BBC reports.
As expected the decision stormed a backlash on social media as many animal rights groups totally disagree it. It is known that Botswana homes the world’s elephants largest population, which around 130,000 individuals.
More than that, the disappointing decision is about to affect the country’s international reputation as well.
Africa’s wildlife and Humane Society International director, Audrey Delsink expressed his disappointment regarding the decision. He told to Daily Mail:
“This horrifying decision by Botswana to lift its ban on elephant hunting will send shock waves throughout the conservation world.
“There are around 415,000 wild elephants in the whole of Africa, where they are relentlessly persecuted by trophy hunters and poachers, and Botswana is home to one third of those elephants who have sought refuge within its borders. This population is vital to the overall regional survival of this iconic species.
“Resuming elephant hunting is not only morally questionable and flies in the face of all international efforts to protect these giants, but it will also likely damage Botswana’s hugely valuable tourism industry because visitors will be appalled at the idea that the very elephants they are photographing on eco-safaris could be gunned down by hunters the next day. ”
Trying to motivate the decision, the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism said in a statement: “The number and high levels of human-elephant conflict and the consequent impact on livelihoods was increasing.”
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, there are around 415,000 elephants in Africa. However, their population dramatically declined in the last years due to poaching for ivory.
