Botswana animal campaigners are demanding a Botswana hunter’s licence be revoked. This follows the killing of a protected elephant.
Officials confirm an elephant wearing a collar, which identifies it as a protected animal, was killed during a legal hunt in November.
While claiming it is a regrettable incident, the tourism ministry explains the hunter claimed he did not see the collar during the hunt. Apparently, at the time of the incident, the elephant was standing in a full-frontal position.
However, Neil Fitt of the Kalahari Conservation Society claims this explanation is difficult to believe.
The Botswana government lifted a halt on hunting in May this year, claiming certain areas will be given quota and approximately 400 hunting licences will be distributed annually.
However, despite this new law, some animals remain off-limits. This includes elephants with collars, as they are earmarked for scientific research.
Fitt emphasises that the collar was extremely large, and the hunter’s explanation did not seem convincing. He feels the government needs to investigate the incident, sending a strong message to professional hunters.
Currently, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks claims its inquiries into the incident are at an advanced level.
Botswana is currently home to over 130,000 elephants. This is apparently the largest concentration in Africa.
With the death of the elephant, what are your thoughts on the incident? Do you feel the hunter should lose his licence? And what are your thoughts on hunting? Share your views and thoughts with us in the comment section below.
