Threat to Send 20,000 Elephants from Botswana to Germany

There is an elephant crisis between the African country Botswana and Germany. Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi criticized a proposal by the German Environment Ministry for “tighter restrictions on the import of hunting trophies” in an interview with the German media. Masisi stated that this would only impoverish people in Botswana, emphasizing that as a result of conservation efforts, there has been an explosion in the number of elephants in the country, and hunting is an important way to control the elephant population. Masisi stressed that elephant herds damage property, eat crops, and crush local residents, saying, “It is very easy to sit in Berlin and have an opinion about our issues in Botswana. We are paying the price to protect these animals for the world, even for (Green Party member of the German Environment Minister Steffi Lemke) Lemke’s party.”

Masisi also mentioned that Botswana has sent 8,000 elephants to Angola and offered 500 elephants to Mozambique to deal with the excessive animal population, stating, “You should live with the animals the way you’re trying to tell us. We also want to give Germany such a gift. 20,000 elephants to Germany. No joke.” Masisi also stated that he would not accept a “no” answer to the offer to send 20,000 elephants.

Response from Germany

In a statement from the German Environment Ministry, it was stated that Botswana did not share any concerns with Germany regarding the issue. It was also reported that negotiations with African countries affected by import regulations, including Botswana, were ongoing. The statement said, “Given the worrying loss of biodiversity, we have a special responsibility to do everything possible to ensure that hunting imports are sustainable and legal.”

It was emphasized that Germany is one of the largest importers of hunting trophies in the European Union.

Botswana hosts approximately one-third of the world’s elephant population (more than 130,000). The German Environment Ministry had raised the possibility of stricter restrictions on the import of hunting trophies earlier this year due to concerns about poaching.