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Botswana Issues Elephant Hunting Licenses, First Since 2014

Mqondisi Dube

   GABARONE, BOTSWANA - For the first time in five years, elephant hunting
   will be legal in Botswana, with authorities planning to issue nearly
   160 hunting licenses in coming weeks.

   The southern African country says the elephant population has gotten
   too big and needs to be curbed.

   In May this year, Botswana lifted a ban on elephant hunting, citing
   growing conflict between wildlife and humans.

   The country has an elephant population of more than 130,000, more than
   double its official capacity.

   Seventy-two licenses will be given to non-citizens and will be awarded
   through a bidding process for next year's hunting season, expected to
   begin in April.

   Another 86 licenses have been reserved for locals, and are being
   awarded through a nationwide raffle system.

   Participation in the raffle is high. Maun, a wildlife zone in the
   northwestern part of the country, saw 5,990 locals jostling for just
   eight elephant hunting licenses reserved for the area.

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