Africa-Press – Botswana. Communities close to wildlife areas in Botswana have presented a petition to the British High Commission expressing their deep displeasure regarding a proposed bill to be tabled before the British Parliament on the prohibition of importation of trophies from CITES listed species to the United Kingdom.
Representatives of a group of 22 community-based organisations led by the Ngamiland Council of Non-Governmental Oranisations (NCONGO), including Lake Ngami Community Trust, Okavango Human Wildlife Foundation, Nata Conservation Trust and Tsodilo Community Development Trust among others presented the petition in Gaborone yesterday.
Reading out the petition, Mr Poniso Shamukuni, the Chairperson of the Chobe Enclave Conservation Trust said the communities were vehemently opposed to a proposal made by former president Dr Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama to lobby for the return of the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill in the UK.
Mr Shamukuni said it was important to consider that Botswana had a hugely successful conservation record, which led to the country having over 130 000 elephants, more herd than any other country mostly.
He said the animals were concentrated on the north western parts of the country, which led to the unintended consequence of stress on the biodiversity and human-wildlife conflict.
Noting that communities who live close to the wildlife were not consulted when the hunting ban was imposed in 2014, and that their views were only taken on board from 2018 leading to the ban being lifted in 2019, Mr Shamukuni said they were strongly opposed to any prohibition of trophy imports from Botswana to a market such as the UK.
“The ban on hunting in 2014 led to a noticeable expansion of the elephant population in Botswana, causing elephants to venture into previously non-elephant range areas.
This expansion has resulted in increased instances of crop damage, posing risks to human lives and livelihoods.
The current elephant population estimates in Botswana raise concerns about the environmental sustainability of maintaining such large herds in the country’s rangelands,” Mr Shamukuni said.
He said controlled trophy hunting not only assisted in maintaining a better biodiversity and reducing conflict between wildlife and the communities, it also had an impact on improving the livelihood of communities.
“Trophy hunting plays a pivotal role in benefiting communities residing in wildlife areas.
It serves as a vital source of revenue generation, providing employment, social services such as funeral insurance and scholarships, and income for housing for the needy and elderly the needy and elderly.
The ban on trophy hunting between 2014-2019 resulted in complete loss of financial benefits.
We urge against reverting to such detrimental outcomes,” Mr Shamukuni said.
He added that trophy hunting could be utilised as a succession conservation tool when implemented responsibly, serving to aid in managing wildlife distribution, particularly the elephant population, to mitigate negative impacts on vegetation, agriculture and livestock farming.
He further said contrary to misconceptions, trophy hunting in Botswana was a regulated practice guided by annual wildlife quotas set by the government, selective targeting of animals, and adherence to ethical hunting standards.
“By focusing on old males and avoiding the hunting of breeding females and young animals, hunting practices aim to maintain sustainable wildlife populations,” he said.
Mr Mark Ssemakula, the Nature and Climate Lead of the British High Commission, who received the petition on behalf of the British High Commissioner thanked the petitioners of their ‘respectful and well organised’ march from close to the National Stadium to the British chancery at the Gaborone Mall.
He apologised for the absence of his principal, the British envoy who was held up in a prior engagement.
He promised that the petition would reach the relevant authorities.
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