Botswana holds auctions for elephant hunting licenses after lifting ban

Exposing the Big Game's avatarCommittee to Abolish Sport Hunting Blog

Botswana held elephant hunting auctions on Friday after lifting the ban on hunting the animals last year. Audrey Delsink, wildlife director for Humane Society International/Africa, told CBS News “the issue is bigger than the fact that it’s just hunting licenses that are being auctioned.”
Reuters reported the Botswanan government-issued seven hunting licenses of 10 elephants each across seven areas that have been impacted by “human-wildlife conflict.” Bidders, who had to be registered with companies in Botswana, were also expected to pay a refundable deposit of $18,000 each. 

Delsink revealed to CBS News the auction on Friday raised $2.1 million — or about $39,000 per elephant — and the money will go directly to the government. However, she said it’s not “transparent” how the funds will help people affected by encounters with elephants.

“There’s a…

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