Link: https://allafrica.com/stories/202103250078.html
Botswana is planning to issue almost 300 hunting licenses next month for the first hunting season since the ban was lifted in 2019. Last years hunting season was put on pause after the Coronavirus pandemic, but Botswana’s department of wildlife and national parks will issue 300 licenses, 100 of them being elephant hunting licenses. The trophy hunting ban was lifted in 2019 by president Masisi in response to increasing human-wildlife conflict, but wildlife biologist claims bringing back trophy hunting will not reduce human-wildlife conflict. Elephant hunting licenses go for about $43,000 and typically are sold to American trophy hunters.
Trophy hunting has been a trademark for Sub-Saharan African tourism since the 20th century, and although it is cruel and inhuman, African countries make serious profit from the sale of trophy hunting licenses. With Botswana opening hunting season next month, Sub-Saharan Africa can expect an increase in tourism especially those from the US. As we are still in the midst of the COVID pandemic, this increase in tourism can be worrisome for Sub-Saharan Africa. But on the contrary an increase in tourism can be beneficial for the declining African economies. As Sub-Saharan Africa fights these battles against corrupt governments, violence, and human rights obstructions, perhaps an increase in tourism is exactly what they need; it is just unfortunate that this tourism is for the trophy killing of these beautiful creatures.
Although it is in a cruel manner, Botswana is using their geopolitical features as a form of profit for their economy. With the amount of exotic wildlife in the Sub-Saharan region, Botswana recognizes that in order to recover from the economic deficit their country is in, they need revenue from outside countries, in this case that revenue is from tourism. But this profit will only go so far, if Sub-Saharan countries want to eliminate violence and corruption from Africa, they are going to need political assistance from countries like the US. Through trade agreements and diplomatic relationships, Sub-Saharan Africa will approach industrialization, and receive revenue without the need to sell trophy hunting licenses.