10 Sep 2018

Cabinet will tomorrow receive a report from the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism on the extent of the recent reports of elephant killings.

Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation Dr Unity Dow made the announcement yesterday in a media briefing to deliberate on the trending issue of alleged elephant massacre. Dr Dow noted that a panel of investigators were still working on the matter.

She said the report was expected to shed light on the major causes of death regarding the alleged massacre and assist government on making an informed decision on how best to clear the confusion and set the record straight.

Minister Dow said the report would, among other things, establish whether the alleged 87 massacred elephants where indeed killed within a period of three months.

Government, she said, had disbursed P2.8 million to Elephant Without Borders (EWB) to carry out an in-depth survey on the condition of elephants in northern Botswana.

“EWB’s position is totally opposed to any form of hunting of elephants.

It is their position, but in the face of this debate what did EWB do? Their strategy was simple, they focused on the public’s attention, both local and international.

They succeeded and that is what activists do, they shine a light on an issue they hold dearly because they want support. Their concern was a possible policy shift,” she said.

She said a proper report of what was unfolding in that area would be availed.

“We care about wildlife, we care about all views and we believe all views have value, and at the end of the day a decision will be made after consulting everybody and EWB even with their emphatic position can come to the table and talk,” she added.

Minister Dow, therefore pleaded with Batswana to be civil when engaging on such sensitive matters that might impact on how the world perceive Botswana’s tourism industry.  

She said it is in public domain that the international media has come in with some hatred and unfortunate comments that might tarnish the country’s image internationally hence it is upon Batswana to ensure that the issue at hand does not divide the nation.

For his part, Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism Mr Tshekedi Khama explained that EWB was rightfully awarded the tender by his ministry to carry out the elephant study in Botswana as they have previously carried out the great African elephant survey which focused on establishing Africa’s elephant population.

With regard to human-wildlife conflict management particularly imposed by elephants, Mr Khama noted that his ministry is equally concerned by such conflicts adding that government is committed to ensure that people and elephants co-exist.

He said the 40 percent reservation of land for wildlife occupation cannot currently accommodate volumes of wildlife spies as human wildlife conflicts continue to sow therefore consultations are ongoing on how best to remedy the situation and sustainable manage the herds within the designated areas.

Mr Khama said a comprehensive position is needed to determine the actual caring capacity of the wildlife management areas which will guide government position on control the conflict. END