Africa's Largest Elephant States Back Botswana's Plans

A ministerial committee recently submitted a report on the issue to President Mokgweetsi Masisi, including several recommendations on elephant overpopulation, including the lifting of the 2014 hunting ban and greater empowerment of communities living with the animals.

The recommendations sparked intense local and international debate with prominent conservationists referring to them as “blood laws,” while other experts and researchers have defended them noting that the overpopulation was impacting negatively on other species and communities. Masisi has said high-level consultations will continue before final decisions are taken.