In African Hunter II, Craig Boddington states in the summary for the chapter on Botswana that he thinks hunting in that country will come to an end in the next seven years (book published in 2004) due to high level antihunting support. Is this the general view of others here or some see a brighter future or a much dimmer view.

botswana relies far to much on the millions that hunting brings in to cut it out unless the antis are willing to for out close to a "billion dollors" a year to make up for it i dont see it happening.

Vice President Seretse Ian Khama is personally anti-hunting and is influenced heavily by Derek Joubert (an anti-hunting activist and film maker). Some of the dual-use concessions are now controlled by anti-hunters, including Joubert, and hunting is no longer allowed.

Botswana is perhaps the only country whose wildlife might fare relatively well under a no-hunting policy. The country is wealthy by African standards, is not corrupt, and has strong anti-poaching activities. The most severe problem is that there is already an over-population of elephants that will need to be dealt with on a continuing basis.

Hunting is an important source of income and employment, but is nowhere near a "billion dollors" per year business.

Forrest has it about right, I think.

Five years left was the number I heard.

We'll see.

How would Botswana be immune to what happened in Kenya?

Dan

quote:

Originally posted by 700 nitro:
botswana relies far to much on the millions that hunting brings in to cut it out unless the antis are willing to for out close to a "billion dollors" a year to make up for it i dont see it happening.

Botswana as Forrest says is quite a wealthy country, I believe "per capita" it is wealthier than South Africa and the wealthiest country per capita in sub-Saharan Africa.

They make a good living firstly from minerals and cattle and thirdly from tourism. Their non-hunting tourism would be far greater than their smallish hunting industry which they themselves 'contracted'.

On the plus side, they have allowed some "new" hunting opportunities which previously ceased.


I hope to hunt there oneday but may need to win a lottery first.

A more serious threat to wildlife and possibly hunting in Botswana is if they ever erradicate the tetse fly from the Okavango Delta. Then it will be enevitable that the bloody cows get in there and the game is "got out".

The Okavango Delta is a magical place. I have flown over it twice, canoed and motor boated in it, walked in it, but sadly never hunted it!

quote:

Originally posted by DanEP:
How would Botswana be immune to what happened in Kenya?

Dan

Diamonds are a country's best friend (and Bots has lots of them).

Botswana and Kenya are roughly the same size, with 1.6 million people living in Botswana and 34 million living in Kenya. Per Capita GDP in Botswana is $9,200 USD, and $1,100 USD in Kenya.

Personally, I don't think Botswana will eliminate hunting altogether, but it seems committed to reducing it dramatically in some areas - so long as photo safaris make up the revenue.

I was at school with Ian Khama and his views haven't changed much. He is King, Vice President & Comander of the defence forces (Police Army and Air wing). At present he is happy to let someone else be "president" and the fall guy if anything goes wrong but there are rumours he might run for President. If he does, by by safari hunting.( hunting for the locals will continue)

Botswana doesn't need the money- they have large gold reserves that remain un-mined. Ian's Father rekoned they should keep that for the future when the dimonds ran out...

Botswana is the only country in Africa with an anual Budget surpluss which they lend to the world Bank! Technically they are better off financially than the USA!