06 Feb 2014

The Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism has ruled out culling of elephants even though it is conscious of damage caused to the environment by elephants in the Boteti region.

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso was responding to a question from Boteti North MP, Mr Slumber Tsogwane on behalf of the Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Mr Tshekedi Khama.

She said, “culling is not considered an option in free ranging system as any vacuum created by lethally removing large numbers of elephants will only be filled by other elephants. Such methods only have utility where elephants are confined by fences.”

Ms Tshireletso explained that efforts were underway to mitigate human-elephants conflict using methods such as water provision, the use of chilli pepper, appropriate fencing techniques and proper land use planning. She said such methods were practical, economic and aesthetically acceptable.

“My ministry continues to engage all stakeholders in promoting sustainable ways of addressing this situation,” Ms Tshireletso said. MP Tsogwane had asked the minister if he was aware of the damage caused by elephants on the fragile Boteti environment not consider the option of culling elephants to reduce pressure on the environment and damage to crops. ENDS