Botswana has come at loggerheads with Germany after the country's environment ministry appealed to curb the hunting of Elephants and import trophies from hunting animals. In response, Botswana threatened to send 20,000 elephants to Germany as a gift so that the Germans could learn the lesson. Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi was quoted by German media saying that limiting the hunting of Elephants in the country would make the people poor. this would only impoverish people in his country.
Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi stated that the population of elephants has exploded in his country due to conservation efforts and hunting helps to control their number. Slamming Germany for its comments, Mokgweetsi Masisi said that Germans should "live together with the animals, in the way you are trying to tell us to," adding, "This is no joke."
"We would like to offer such a gift to Germany," said Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi adding that he would not take no for an answer.
Botswana and Elephants problem in brief
As per reports, Botswana is a landlocked country situated in Southern Africa. It is home to one-third of the world's elephant population i.e. over 130,000 - more than it has space for. As per reports, Botswana suffers heavy losses as herds of elephants cause damage to property, eating crops, and trampling residents.
Furthermore, Botswana has previously given 8,000 elephants to neighbouring Angola and has offered hundreds more to Mozambique, as a means of bringing the population down. Botswana's Wildlife Minister Dumezweni Mthimkhulu last month threatened to send 10,000 elephants to London's Hyde Park so British people could "have a taste of living alongside" them.
For the unversed, Botswana's threat to the UK came after in March 2024, UK MPs voted to support a ban on importing hunting trophies.