Botswana to amplify war on poaching
Botswana’s President Ian Khama sits on the opening day of an emergency elephant summit by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in Botswana, on December 3, 2013 in Gaborone. Africa could lose 20 percent of its elephant population within a decade, conservation groups warned. Botswana is planning to introduce a special budget for the war on poaching. PHOTO/AFP
What you need to know:
- The money will also be used to curb the illegal trade in ivory, which has a huge market in Asia.
Gaborone,
Botswana is planning to introduce a special budget for the war on poaching.
The money will also be used to curb the illegal trade in ivory, which has a huge market in Asia.
President Ian Khama said protecting endangered animals had gone beyond being a sector’s responsibility but demands to be a national effort.
“Botswana is proud that it is home to a healthy population of elephants. While we do have challenges in managing the impact of our elephants on their habitat and conflict with local communities, we consider ourselves fortunate that illegal off-take has not become a serious threat to our elephants so far,” said Khama.
