Botswana will officially ban the hunting of wildlife for both commercial purposes and sport hunting, from January 2014, according to a statement issued by government. The announcement follows a commitment from the country to conserve and preserve the tourism industry.
"This comes as a realisation that the shooting of wild game purely for sport and trophies is no longer seen to be compatible with either our national commitment to conserve and preserve local fauna or the long-term growth of the local tourism industry," says Edmont Moabi, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry in the statement.
He adds that, if left unchecked, the decline in wildlife will pose a genuine threat to both the conservation of Botswana’s natural heritage and the long-term health of the local tourist industry. According to Moabi, there will still be a limited arrangement for traditional hunting by some local communities within designated wildlife management areas.
Dorine Reinstein
