Elephants could be turned into pet food in Botswana

New report being considered by cabinet ministers recommends reintroduction of elephant culling

The report was commissioned by Mokgweetsi Masisi. Susan Hack for The National
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Cabinet ministers in Botswana are considering a report recommending that regular culling of elephants be introduced, with their meat to be used for dog food.

The committee, formed by President Mokgweetsi Masisi in June last year, also found that hunting should be reintroduced four years after it was banned.

“We recommend a legal framework that will enable the growth of a safari hunting industry and manage the country’s elephant population within the historic range,” said Frans Van Der Westhuizen, Minister of Environment and chairman of the committee.

The original hunting ban was brought in by the previous president, Ian Khama, in 2014 over fears that wildlife was in decline in the north of the country.

Tourism makes up a large part of the Botswanan economy.

The country is home to a third of Africa's elephants, with an estimated 130,000 roaming across its land.

But as their range grows they are increasing coming into regular contact with the human population of Botswana, which is about 2 million.

Those people say the elephants are extremely destructive, trampling crops and occasionally killing people.