How many elephants are there in Botswana? :: Mmegi Online

Last month when Maun East MP Kostantinos Markus tabled a motion requesting government to consider lifting the ban on the hunting and shooting of elephants in the areas that are not designated as game reserves and national parks, he put the number of elephants to be “approximately 237, 000”.

Markus credited his estimates to Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) surveys.

“The figure ranges from the area of 270, 000 to 300, 000. There are too many elephants in this country,” reported the Leader of Alliance for Progressives and MP for Gaborone South Ndaba Gaolathe. Surprisingly, one of the elephant ecology experts who contributed to Mmegi’s ongoing hunting ban debate Dr. Mike Chase of Elephants Without Borders (EWB) put the figure at 130, 000 - far less than half of the numbers that was quoted in Botswana Parliament.

Already have an active account? Log in here.

Or Sign up and get unlimited access to premium articles.