Botswana

Botswana is hosting representatives from 33 African elephant range states to discuss the trade in live elephants and develop a unified approach to elephant population management. Environment and Tourism Minister Nnaniki Makwinja emphasized the need for a collective voice, acknowledging the diverse challenges faced by different regions. “While we recognize that solutions are not one-size-fits-all, we urge countries to collaborate before implementing measures that could hinder wildlife conservation efforts,” Makwinja stated at the opening of the four-day meeting. Previous talks in Panama highlighted divisions among African nations regarding elephant management. Southern African countries seek relaxed trade measures, while regions like Eastern and Western Africa advocate for stricter regulations. Conservation scientist Dan Challender noted that while the meeting offers a platform for dialogue, achieving consensus on all issues may be challenging due to varying elephant populations and policies across the continent. Local conservationist Isaac Theophilus expressed hope that delegates opposing elephant trade would engage with communities affected by human-wildlife conflict to gain a better understanding of the issues. Veterinarian Dr. Eric Verreynne pointed out the logistical hurdles of transporting elephants, stressing the complexity and cost involved, especially when relocating family groups. Currently, Africa’s elephant population stands at approximately 415,000, with over half residing in southern Africa.