Posted on May 19, 2022 by Simon Espley in the Opinion Editorial post series.
https://africageographic.com/stories/how-much-to-kill-a-woolly-mammoth/
"I do not speak for this community (based in an area where protein sources are likely scarce) – who may appreciate an estimated minimum 600kg of elephant meat that such a hunt could produce.
However, of concern is that our request to BWPA (see below) and Kachelhoffer for evidence – photos – that the meat was given to community members was refused.
Also, suggesting that the supposed meat provision is a substitute for the cash they should have earned is insulting to their people.
Do they know what this elephant was really worth??
"The community trust’s total elephant allocation for the year is five elephants – all purchased in advance by Kachelhoffer and Brink.
Seeing how little the community benefited from the killing of one of Africa’s largest tuskers, I would imagine that their revenue expectations for the remainder of the year are pretty grim."
"Is this the true face of Botswana’s much-acclaimed ‘sustainable’ trophy hunting strategy?
In May 2019, Botswana’s President Masisi justified the decision to recommence trophy hunting by emphasizing that local communities will be guaranteed far more than just menial jobs and will enjoy the economic benefits of sustainable wildlife management.
Is this how President Masisi envisaged involving impoverished, marginalized communities in the wildlife industry?
Is this particular scenario fair to the good people of Botswana, or even sustainable – surely not!"
"Surely Botswana can do better than this? Permitting a few privileged individuals to benefit at the expense of desperate rural communities is going to end badly – for Botswana and for their wildlife and ecosystems."
"Image of the 100-pounder tusker recently hunted in NG13, northern Botswana."
"Three separate sources advised us that the minimum price for this sized elephant was US$80,000 to US$100,000"
"In a bitter, strongly worded follow-up letter, the BWPA advised us that they would not be responding to future requests for information."
https://africageographic.com/stories/how-much-to-kill-a-woolly-mammoth/
"I do not speak for this community (based in an area where protein sources are likely scarce) – who may appreciate an estimated minimum 600kg of elephant meat that such a hunt could produce.
However, of concern is that our request to BWPA (see below) and Kachelhoffer for evidence – photos – that the meat was given to community members was refused.
Also, suggesting that the supposed meat provision is a substitute for the cash they should have earned is insulting to their people.
Do they know what this elephant was really worth??
"The community trust’s total elephant allocation for the year is five elephants – all purchased in advance by Kachelhoffer and Brink.
Seeing how little the community benefited from the killing of one of Africa’s largest tuskers, I would imagine that their revenue expectations for the remainder of the year are pretty grim."
"Is this the true face of Botswana’s much-acclaimed ‘sustainable’ trophy hunting strategy?
In May 2019, Botswana’s President Masisi justified the decision to recommence trophy hunting by emphasizing that local communities will be guaranteed far more than just menial jobs and will enjoy the economic benefits of sustainable wildlife management.
Is this how President Masisi envisaged involving impoverished, marginalized communities in the wildlife industry?
Is this particular scenario fair to the good people of Botswana, or even sustainable – surely not!"
"Surely Botswana can do better than this? Permitting a few privileged individuals to benefit at the expense of desperate rural communities is going to end badly – for Botswana and for their wildlife and ecosystems."
"Image of the 100-pounder tusker recently hunted in NG13, northern Botswana."
"Three separate sources advised us that the minimum price for this sized elephant was US$80,000 to US$100,000"
"In a bitter, strongly worded follow-up letter, the BWPA advised us that they would not be responding to future requests for information."
