Botswana and its Southern Africa neighbors are opposed to the recent decision of some European countries to place a ban on trophy hunting. Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi criticized such bans, highlighting the local struggles with a large elephant population causing property damage and fatalities. He also threatened to send 20,000 elephants to Germany as retaliation for the move. The UK is close to passing such a law, too, but critics argue that paid-for hunting funds anti-poaching efforts, provides jobs, and mitigates human-animal conflicts. Zimbabwe faces a similar issue and intends to announce a hunting quota soon to manage human-elephant conflict. According to experts, trophy hunting attracts wealthy clients who pay a high price to participate. The money thus earned is subsequently channeled into conservation efforts that positively impact local communities as well as wildlife.
SOURCE: DW
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