After many trips to Yellowstone National park, my favorite place to visit in the United States, I learned that some mighty hunter had shot the wolf known as 926F. She had been the alpha female of the Lamar Canyon wolf pack for several years, until one of her daughters took over. This particular wolf family was extremely popular with visitors, as it was often easier to spot than the more reclusive families. She ventured out of the park last winter and was killed. Montana and Wyoming, where the majority of the park is located, hold an annual wolf hunt, despite the fact Yellowstone's wolves are a huge tourist draw and result in millions of dollars being pumped into the local economy. Wolves, like all wild animals, don't know about and don't care about boundaries. If they leave the park, they can be killed. So I have vowed not to visit Yellowstone any time soon.
Now Botswana, a country in southeast Africa that until this week had a reputation as a wonderful protector of its wildlife, has decided to open the country to elephant hunters. The excuse given is that there are too many elephants, they are destroying crops, etc. Apparently the only solution is to kill some of them. According to
Given China's massive presence in Africa, I'd bet a lot of money has been passed under the table to get the ban on hunting of elephants lifted. Funny how China's financial interest in Botswana hasn't been mentioned as a reason for the lifting of the hunting ban. And how about the request by Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe to remove the ban on the sale of ivory? A coincidence? A think not. Some are speculating that lifting the hunting ban is an attempt to curry favor with rural voters who are most likely to have run-ins with elephants. Regardless of the reasons, I will no longer visit Botswana. Nor will I tell people who ask what my favorite African country is that Botswana is at the top of the list. It isn't even on the list any longer.
Why is the solution to wildlife issues always to kill the wildlife? Are non-lethal measures even considered? Kenya is having great success with using bee hives to deter elephants. The farmers' crops are saved, elephants are protected from angry farmers, and the farmers can earn extra cash from selling the honey from hives.
Given the history of corruption in African governments, I'm sure the decision by Botswana's new government to lift the ban on hunting of elephants was 'encouraged' by the exchange of big sums of money under the table. When it comes to wildlife vs money, wildlife loses every time.
Hunting elephants is particularly egregious. They are highly intelligent animals. Female elephants spend their entire lives with their mothers, sisters, aunts and female cousins. Bulls stay with their family until they reach sexual maturity. Elephants mourn their dead. They show compassion. Killing a member of a herd traumatizes the entire herd, especially the offspring.
Sorry, Botswana, this decision is absolutely wrong. I predict that many people -- safari guides, lodge staff, drivers, trackers and others -- will pay the price when tourism to Botswana takes a major hit because of this decision. Perhaps the government will listen to the all-but-certain suffering of its own people.
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