WILD BW: END OF HUNTING SEASON-SAME AS IT ALWAYS WAS-THANK YOU
The hunting season comes to an end next week Tuesday, the 27th of October. And what a season it was. I am not sure I have ever experienced as noisy a season as this has been-and not for the sound of guns, but for the hysteria generated by the anti-hunting brigade. Starting with an audacious legal action attempt by the noncompliant Elephant Protection Society to scuttle the season before it even started, the barrage of questions by former President Seretse Khama Ian Khama challenging the Minister of Wildlife and Tourism to explain decisions behind the hunting, especially of elephants, and, of course, a sustained social media blitz on Botswana’s sustainable use policy. Add to this the absolute bedlam that ensued when the government decided to treat Batswana to elephant meat for the independence jubilee. When the BBC waded into the conversation, it became clear that we really have a battle on our hands. One doesn’t expect this to abate with the close of the season, of course. In fact, the noise is likely to be sustained to build the momentum for the coming season. It’s the principle of preparing for war in times of peace. I also expect that there will be frantic work behind the scenes to influence policy review.
But while all this noise is going on, nothing has changed in terms of the animals that have actually been hunted. Approximately 430 elephants were authorized for hunting nationwide this year. It was a figure that triggered outrage from the anti-hunting quarters. We will only get to know how many have actually been shot at the end of this month. But history tells us that we never actually exhaust the quota even if it is set at 400. What more with the increase in numbers. Additionally, the foot and mouth disease outbreak disrupted the hunting season significantly. Many areas of the country were closed to hunting for much of the season. This means other species earmarked for hunting, especially the cloven hoof type, were hardly touched. The outbreak of war in the Middle East also impacted travel, affecting trophy hunting tourism. We don’t know yet how much the ban on hunting trophy imports in France has impacted the Botswana hunting scene, but it is likely to have led to some cancellations. Other European countries may follow the French example. Although they have much more important issues to address at this volatile moment for that continent.
What all this means is that despite the unprecedented noise against Botswana’s long-held sustainable use conservation policy, our wildlife stock is still very healthy. One might even add that the case for tighter control on the numbers is heating up every day. Much has been said about the increase in the number of elephants and their spread to other parts of the country. Success in the conservation of lions has also been very noticeable. Consequently, an experimental program to control problem lions was launched this year. It is hoped that the program will benefit farming communities while adding to conservation efforts and addressing human-wildlife conflict. Under such a program, strict protocols are to be followed in taking down problem lions aged six years and above. Nine communities are to benefit from such an initiative, with each community receiving one lion and expected to realise at least half a million pula per lion.
Something to write home about is Batswana’s unquestionable support for the sustainable use policy. If there is one thing that Batswana are totally united on is their unwavering resolve to keep hunting as part of conservation mix. Across the social media space, which is the current public sphere, Batswana do not take kindly to being lectured to by outsiders who seem to care more about our animals than the people of this country. It is also quite refreshing to have resolute leadership from the Minister of Environment, Wynter Mmolotsi, who is undeterred in pushing Botswana’s conservation policy. It is the same as it always was. So despite the noise from the outsiders who cry more than the bereaved, the hunting season will end with our wildlife still fine. Thank you. No need to change.
But does this mean we should be complacent? On the contrary. What it means is that Batswana should not be satisfied with just commenting on the social media platforms. It calls for us to be engaged in generating not just the local narrative about conservation policy, but local solutions that speak to our own realities. We expect local range ecologists, guides, wildlife scientific communities, conservationists, researchers, academics and media to add to the conversation. It is important to note that these so-called animal rights activists are expert mobilisers and organisers. They have very deep pockets and will not relent. We cannot afford to be caught unawares. Additionally, it calls on more of us to be engaged in the wildlife economy. We cannot defend our natural assets if we are not participating in their utilisation.
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