21 Aug 2013

Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism has announced the ban on hunting of wildlife in all controlled hunting areas in Botswana with effect from January 2014.

A press release from the ministry has stated that no quotas, licenses or permits would be issued for hunting of Part 1 and Part 11 scheduled game animals as listed in the Wildlife Conservation and National Parks Act.

It said licenses would continue to be issued for game birds listed in Part 111 of the same act subject to conditions to be determined by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks. The release further stated that hunting in registered game ranches would not be affected by the ban.

The decision to temporarily ban hunting was necessitated by information, which indicated that several species in the country were showing declines. The release further stated that the cause of the decline was likely due to a combination of factors such as anthropogenic impacts, including illegal off take and habitat fragmentation or loss.

The suspension of the hunting, said the release, would allow the ministry to work with relevant stakeholders in understanding the cause of the decline and where possible, to put in place remedial measures to reverse the trend.

The release further stated that the ministry will continue to monitor wildlife trends, using suitable methodologies and regular update on the status of the wildlife resource. ENDS