Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi has threatened Germany to send 20,000 elephants to the European country, amidst an escalating dispute over the import of hunting trophies.
“Twenty thousand elephants for Germany, this is not a joke,” President Masisi told the German tabloid Bild, emphasizing the gravity of his statement.
The dispute stems from Germany’s potential ban on the import of hunting trophies. Earlier this year, Germany’s Environment Ministry, led by Steffi Lemke of the Green Party, hinted at the imposition of stricter limits on trophy imports due to growing concerns over poaching.
However, President Masisi criticized the German government, especially the Environment Ministry, for considering such a ban.
“We would like to offer such a gift to Germany,” Masisi remarked, asserting that he would “not take no for an answer.”
According to Masisi, hunting serves as a crucial method to manage the elephant population. Although Botswana prohibited trophy hunting in 2014, the restrictions were lifted in 2019 under pressure from local communities. The country now issues annual hunting quotas.
The President further explained the challenges faced by the local communities due to the increasing elephant population.
Herds of elephants are causing damage to property, consuming crops, and trampling residents, President Masisi told Bild.
He urged the Germans to experience the same challenges, stating, “It is very easy to sit in Berlin and have an opinion about our affairs in Botswana. We are paying the price for preserving these animals for the world.”
Botswana, known as the home of the world’s largest elephant population, has been proactive in addressing the issue of elephant “overpopulation.”
The country has already offered 8,000 elephants to Angola and an additional 500 to Mozambique.
In March, officials even threatened to send 10,000 elephants to London.
Responding to the President’s threats, a spokesperson for Germany’s Environment Ministry stated that Botswana had not formally raised any concerns regarding the matter.
The spokesperson clarified that the ministry is in ongoing discussions with African countries, including Botswana, about the import rules for hunting trophies.
“In light of the alarming loss of biological diversity, we have a special responsibility to ensure the import of hunting trophies is sustainable and legal,” she remarked.
Germany stands as one of the largest importers of hunting trophies within the European Union.
Data from Germany’s Federal Agency for Nature Conservation revealed that in 2023, the country imported 26 hunting trophies from African elephants, out of a total of nearly 650.
The spokesperson added that, under current regulations, African elephant hunting trophies already require import authorization. She also mentioned that discussions within the EU are focused on enhancing import restrictions by expanding the list of protected species.
As the dispute continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Germany will respond to President Masisi’s bold threat and whether a resolution can be reached to address the concerns of both nations.