Botswana Permits the Hunt of 287 Elephants

​worldanimalnews.com/urgent-action-needed-as-botswana-plans-to-allow-the-hunting-of-287-elephants-at-the-beginning-of-april-after-species-is-listed-as-critically-endangered/

African forest elephant populations have dipped 86% over the last 31 years and they are listed as critically endangered. African savanna elephant populations have dropped 61% in the last 50 years and they are listed as endangered on the endangered species list. Knowing this, Botswana has announced its plans to issue 100 elephant hunting licenses on top of the 187 issued last year. This means that 287 elephants will be shot and killed for sport despite being listed as endangered. 

Africa's management of its wildlife population is curious to say the least. Numbers don't lie, both species of elephant are facing the possibility of extinction, and yet the Botswana government is issuing licenses to slaughter them. Botswana is not the only African country to auction off elephant hunts despite overwhelming international outrage. In February, Namibia held an auction for 170 elephants despite the fact that their elephant population is significantly lower than Botswana's. Africa's management of its own wildlife is sending out conflicting messaging about the perils elephants face and the possibility of their extinction.

Unfortunately, these auctions likely bring in revenue that these government's deem essential. The problem I think they are neglecting to address, is the fact that elephants are headed towards extinction. What exactly do these country's plan to do when they've helped along the extinction of elephants? What will they do when there's no longer auctions to slaughter elephants that generate revenue? What will they do when trophy hunters stop flying in from all over the world to put a bullet in an elephant? What will they do when safari tourism no longer exists because they've decimated elephants? I don't believe they've considered the long term effects of continuing to allow the slaughter of elephants.

In fact, I'd go so far as to say that they don't even fully comprehend the seriousness of the situation in Africa. Lions, giraffes, pangolins, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, rhinos etc., much of their most recognized and beloved animals are facing the possibility of extinction. These animals are headed towards extinction and it can be directly linked back to humans. Whether we're talking about legal hunting opportunities or the illegal poaching that continues to run rampant, these animals are in serious danger of disappearing from the wild. It's definitely a contradictory message to what conservationists and animal welfare groups across the world are fighting for. Unfortunately, it's money that fuels these decisions but as I said, what will they do when there are no more elephants to profit off of?

Unless we have global cooperation in protecting and conserving our planet's most vulnerable species, they will go extinct. This is especially the case when the country's these animals inhabit are actively working against their survival. Elephants are on track to be extinct within the next 60 years at most unless we stop the killing and effectively tackle illegal poaching. As I said earlier in the post, numbers don't lie and the numbers are telling us that elephants are disappearing. These nations can argue in defense of their wildlife management tactics but the fact is, elephants along with many other beloved species are on track towards extinction. Those are facts. We are failing unless we are collectively fighting for the same thing and these animals are the continued victims of our mixed messaging.

HAPPY VEG