"WILDLIFE HUNTING TO CEASE IN BOTSWANA"

RE: MMEGI ARTICLE RESPONSE:"WILDLIFE HUNTING TO CEASE IN BOTSWANA"

We refer to the above article carried on Mmegi issue of Friday 15th July, 2011.

It was said that; the Botswana government is in advanced legal process to ban the hunting of wildlife in favour of photographic safari.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism would like to clarify that there is no decision made to ban wildlife hunting. Instead, what is being done is to encourage photographic tourism and gradually limit but not ban wildlife hunting. It must be known that species with declining numbers will be considered for limited hunting while those with increasing numbers like elephants, will continue to be hunted within CITES framework.

On the 13th and 14th July 2011, the Ministry and other stakeholders organized two days training workshop for local Media Practitioners on Poverty and Environmental Reporting. It was at this workshop that the Ministry spokesperson highlighted the benefits of photographic tourism to Community Trusts in the country as compared to just issuing hunting quotes during a discussion on Community Based Resource National Management (CBNRM). But there was no reference to hunting ban. Unfortunately, he was quoted out of context.

In conclusion, the Ministry states that the Botswana Government has no plan to ban hunting in this country and we would like to assure all hunting safari companies and affected communities that live near wildlife management areas who continues to benefit from hunting. The Mmegi story does not reflect current government thinking on the subject of wildlife hunting.



Source: mewt.gov.bw

Certainly lets hope this does NOT happen; Haven't these guys learned from Kenya's experience? From all I've read, the cessation there of hunting in favor of "photo safaris/ecotourism" has resulted in plummeting numbers of most game...

Am I reading the post wrong?

It is refuting the Mmegi article about banning hunting and states that hunting will continue as per the Bots government.

Unfortunately areas have been closed in Bots and I hope the above articles true.

The news release in clarifying the departments position. Hunting will continue but there is certainly a hint about a direction toward picture taking.