Trophy hunting is a major source of livelihood for communities who live side by side with wild animals not only in Botswana but in Southern Africa. During Khama’s presidency, trophy hunting was banned only to be reinstated following the ascendance of Mokgweetsi Masisi to the presidency.
In an interview with Mmegi, Digapenng said it boggles the mind why Khama, a well known conservationist, chose to disregard expert evidence that controlled trophy hunting was beneficial to the environment and communities living in the vicinity of wildlife areas. Digapeng stated that it is a well-known fact that wild animals like elephants are now found in places where they never existed because their population has significantly increased. “These elephants cause untold damage to the environment and people’s property when they look for water and food.
This obviously impoverishes people living in those communities hence they should be culled under the law to limit the damage they cause,” said Digapeng. Digapeng added: “Proceeds from controlled trophy hunting help to reduce the impact of human-wildlife conflicts in community livelihoods.” Following Khama’ spirited effort to lobby the UK Parliament to enact a ban on trophy hunting, scores of people marched to the British High Commission in Gaborone to hand over a petition, protesting the United Kingdom's anti-hunting Bill.
The Bill, which failed to pass at the House of Lords last year, is due to be re-tabled later this month, but Botswana is amongst Southern Africans lobbying against the instrument. The Ngamiland Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (NCONGO), an umbrella organisation representing communities living alongside wildlife, led the march from the National Stadium to present the petition to the British High Commission's nature and climate change lead, Mark Ssemakula.
