28 Mar 2022

 Residents of Letlhakane have complained that the revised hunting fees are too steep for an ordinary Motswana. The residents raised the concern during Boteti wildlife hunting raffle held in Letlhakane on Thursday. 

One of the residents, Ms Kenna Keoarabile, said it was going to be difficult for members of the community to afford the hunting. She indicated that hiking hunting fees would lead to multiplication of animal populations as Batswana could not afford them. Ballooning animals populations will bring havoc, as the animals will now fight for land with humans, she said. 

Kgosi Chanki Kebolathetswe of Mokgobelele 2 ward, proposed that local hunters should be permitted to sell elephant tusks, considering that the hunting fee for elephants was too steep. Kgosi Kebolathetswe also expressed complaint that the more the elephant hunting fee was raised the more the elephant population would continue to grow, leading to terror by the animals. Deputy District Commissioner for Boteti Mr Ewetse Selelo explained that wild animals should also play abe used to generate funds to cover costs incurred by government for their upkeep. In response Chief Wildlife Warden Mr Orbit Rantlole said hunting fees had to be revised for purposes of adding economic value. 

Mr Rantlole said Botswana had signed International treaties and was therefore compelled to comply with organisations like Cites. He stated that elephant tusks were prohibited from any form of sale, saying they should instead be used as souvenirs. He explained that skins and other parts from animals like kudu, ostrich and others could go to the hunter. Mr Rantlole emphasized that, elephants tusks or body parts could not be exported, indicating that after winning a hunting quota, one should engage a professional hunter. 

He also stated that members of the community were allowed to group themselves to apply for a community hunting quota, citing that, the arrangement had value and was highly recommended. 

Furthermore Mr Rantlole stated that the period beginning April 05, 2022 to January 31, 2022 had been declared open season for special elephant qouta. He also noted that the period beginning April 05, 2022 to January 31, 2023 was declared open season for elephants only for citizen hunting controlled hunting areas CT 16, CT 18, CT 24, CT 25 and NE1. 

The period beginning April 05, 2022 to September 13, 2022, was declared open hunting season for all other species in controlled hunting areas. Mr Rantlole indicated that, as with 2020 hunting seasons, 2021 hunting season was affected by COVID-19, and that led to difficulties as well as delays in almost all activities including hunting as a result of the national shut down. 

While the Senior Wildlife Warden Mr Patrick Siamang explainewd hunting fees were last reviewed 21 years ago. He stated that they received 5952 applications nd 4640 people qualified. ends