The President of Botswana has warned of the possibility of relocating 20,000 elephants to Germany.
Botswana's President, Mokgweetsi Masisi, has issued a warning to send 20,000 elephants to Germany as the nation considers imposing stricter regulations on importing hunting trophies. President Masisi expressed his belief that Germany fails to grasp the repercussions of its proposed legislation. In an interview with German tabloid Bild, he stated Botswana's intention to send the elephants so Germans can "coexist with the animals, as you are urging us to do." This response comes after Steffi Lemke, a Greens Minister, proposed tighter restrictions on hunting trophy imports due to poaching concerns earlier this year. The possibility of Germany implementing stricter rules on imports, particularly regarding African elephant trophies, has raised concerns in Botswana regarding elephant population management.
President Masisi criticized the ease with which individuals in Berlin form opinions about Botswana's affairs, highlighting the nation's role in preserving elephants for the global community. Despite Botswana's ban on trophy hunting in 2014, the government lifted the prohibition in 2019 following pressure from local communities. Subsequently, an annual hunting quota was established to regulate the increasing elephant population.
With Botswana grappling with a burgeoning elephant population that has caused property damage, crop consumption, and human injuries, the nation seeks assistance from other countries in managing its elephant population. Botswana has already offered 8,000 elephants to neighboring Angola and 500 to Mozambique. President Masisi emphasized Botswana's intention to extend this offer to Germany, asserting that he would not accept refusal.
While Botswana has yet to formally approach the German government, a spokesperson from Berlin acknowledged Germany's duty to ensure the sustainability and legality of hunting trophy imports.