ALBAWABA - In a surprising twist in the ongoing debate over elephant conservation, Botswana's President, Mokgweetsi Masisi, made a bold offer to Germany: He's willing to send 20000 elephants there. This offer comes during discussions on the impact of hunting on elephant populations and the role of trophy imports in conservation efforts.
Germany's Environment Ministry had proposed tighter controls on importing souvenirs from hunted animals earlier this year. President Masisi, however, argues that such restrictions would harm Botswana's economy and fail to acknowledge the success of the country's conservation efforts, which have led to a large rise in elephant populations.
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Botswana, which has about one-third of the world's elephants, is facing challenges due to its growing elephant population. With over 130000 elephants, the country is now experiencing conflicts between humans and elephants, as strange as that sounds, including damage to property and crops. To manage these issues, Botswana has previously relocated elephants to neighboring countries.
President Masisi's suggestion to send elephants to Germany is not just a diplomatic move, but also a statement on the challenges of living with such large animals.
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He emphasizes the real challenges faced by Botswana, suggesting that experiencing these challenges themselves could end up changing Germany's perspectives on wildlife management and conservation.
The proposal follows a similar threat made to the UK, where Botswana's Minister of Wildlife suggested sending 10000 elephants to London's Hyde Park. This was in response to British MPs voting for a ban on importing hunted animal trophies, a decision that has yet to be finalized.
