GERMANY, one of the largest importers of hunting trophies in the European Union, earned the ire of Botswana, home to the world’s largest elephant population.
Tensions started after Germany raised the possibility of stricter limits on imports due to poaching concerns which Botswanz will have a direct impact in its economy.
Berlin’s proposals to restrict the import of hunting trophies displeased Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi who threatened to send 20,000 elephants to Germany.
According to Masisi, Botswana was already dealing with an overpopulation of elephants, and hunting will help keep their numbers under control.
The Southern African leader suggested that Germans should try living together with elephants so they will understand their burdens of preserving the huge mammals as their population explodes.
Botswana is home to around 130,000 elephants, making it the country with the largest population of the huge mammals worldwide.
The Southern African nation already gifted 8,000 elephants to Angola, offered another 500 to Mozambique, and threatened to send 10,000 more to London’s Hyde Park over similar issue with Germany.
