When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers
Friday, July 27, 2018
The first opinion by Dr Michael Chase, a Motswana elephant researcher, makes some compelling points against lifting the hunting ban. He cites an example of the Chobe Enclave, where DWNP statistics reveal that Human Elephant Conflict (HEC) incidents are the same as when hunting was permitted, meaning that lifting the hunting ban would not alleviate the problem.
Rather than hunting, he posits that “a range of interventions, policies and incentives including education, recognising animal migration corridors, rapid response to conflicts and allocation of agricultural plots in appropriate areas and promotion of localised eco-tourism businesses” would be a more sustainable approach. Dr Chase also warns that reintroduction of hunting could cause irreparable harm to Botswana’s brand overseas and damage to tourism.
These legal professionals, who are entrusted with upholding the rule of law, face numerous challenges that compromise their ability to effectively carry out their duties.Elsewhere in this edition, we carry a story on the lamentations of the officers of court.The prosecutors have raised a number of concerns, calling for urgent attention from all relevant stakeholders, including the President, Minister of Justice and the Attorney General. Their...