About
a third of the world's elephant population lives in Botswana
Botswana
will ban commercial hunting from January 2014 over growing concerns about the sharp
decline in wildlife species, officials have announced.
"The
shooting of wild game for sport and trophies is no longer compatible with our
commitment to preserve local fauna," the environment ministry said.
The
ban is likely to be controversial as many communities depend on hunting for
their livelihoods.
As
much as a third of the global elephant population lives in Botswana.
Recent
estimates place the number at about 130,000.
Conservationists
are concerned about the erosion of river banks caused by the animals in some
nature parks, the BBC's Letlhogile Lucas in the capital, Gaborone, reports.
The
ban, set to come into place on 1 January, could also pose a threat to local
communities, in particular bushmen, for whom hunting is a means to survive, our
correspondent adds.
Average
trophy fee per species
Elephant:
Up to $30,000, depending on weight
Lion:
$29,000
Leopard:
$7,150
Buffalo:
$3,744
Giraffe:
$3,500
Zebra:
$1,923
Source:
Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations
Furthermore,
selling hunting licences to wealthy Westerners is an extremely lucrative
business, he says.
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