AFP

President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s government in May removed the moratorium, just
a year after he succeeded Ian Khama who had introduced a blanket hunting ban
in 2014.

GABORONE – Botswana’s president announced on Monday the government will by
December start issuing trophy hunting licences after it controversially
scrapped a five-year ban on the practice, and angered international
conservationists.

President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s government in May removed the moratorium, just
a year after he succeeded Ian Khama, an avid environmentalist, who had
introduced a blanket hunting ban in 2014 to reverse a decline in the
population of wild animals.

The removal of the ban was praised by local communities but derided by
conservationists and ignited political friction between the Khama and
Masisi.

Botswana fended off criticism of its decision, saying the move would not
threaten the elephant population.

“Quotas will be issued by December 2019 to allow for marketing ahead of the