Francesca Capozzi Germany could receive a completely unexpected gift of 20 thousand African elephants, but why?
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Not one, not two, but 20,000 elephants might be making their way to Germany following a dispute that involves Botswana and the German state regarding elephant conservation. This bold statement was made by the president of the African nation, Mokgweetsi Masisi, almost as a form of threat.
But why? What exactly happened? This is no April Fools’ joke gone too far. The controversy began with a proposal from the Umweltministerium, the Federal Environment Ministry, suggesting the need for restrictions on the importation of hunting trophies.
Germany is among the countries that subsidize trophy hunting, earning the dubious title of the largest importer of wild animal remains in the European Union, including those of African elephants. This has led to the proposal to regulate this grim business endangering polar bears, lions, rhinoceroses, and elephants.
There has been no talk of a complete ban, such as the one Belgium recently decided upon, but the mere possibility has alarmed the authorities in Botswana. The country is home to one-third of the world’s elephant population, a species not at risk within its borders.
There are so many elephants that farmers complain of damage to crops and property. Hence, the decision to lighten the load by donating elephants around the world. Angola has also received some.
Will Germany be next? It seems highly unlikely that 20,000 elephants will leave Botswana for Europe. The practice of gifting elephants appears to be a tradition, as, according to English sources, a similar offer had been made to the United Kingdom.
The Botswana Minister of Wildlife, Dumezweni Mthimkhulu, reportedly stated his desire to send 10,000 elephants to the UK to let all English people experience what it’s like to live with these gigantic animals.
Meanwhile, Botswana continues to promote hunting safaris as a way to profit from the killing of its wildlife.
