Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi has issued a stern warning to Germany, vowing to send 20,000 elephants to the European nation amid a heated dispute over the import of hunting trophies. The threat comes in response to Germany's consideration of stricter limits on such imports due to concerns over poaching.

In an interview with German daily Bild, President Masisi argued that a ban on hunting trophies would only harm the people of Botswana, as conservation efforts have led to a significant increase in the elephant population. He stressed that hunting plays a crucial role in keeping the elephant numbers in check.

While Botswana banned trophy hunting in 2014, the restrictions were lifted in 2019 under pressure from local communities. The country now issues annual hunting quotas in an attempt to manage the growing elephant population. Masisi emphasized that herds of elephants have been causing damage to property, eating crops, and posing a threat to residents.

Responding to critics in Germany, the president stated, "It is very easy to sit in Berlin and have an opinion about our affairs in Botswana. We are paying the price for preserving these animals for the world. Germans should 'live together with the animals, in the way you are trying to tell us to'." He underlined the seriousness of the situation, with Botswana currently having approximately 130,000 elephants.

In an effort to address what Masisi described as "overpopulation," Botswana has already offered 8,000 elephants to Angola and an additional 500 to Mozambique. Just last month, officials also threatened to send 10,000 elephants to London. Now, President Masisi is targeting Germany, insisting he will not accept a refusal for his proposed "gift" of 20,000 elephants.

The German Ministry of Environment spokesperson responded by stating that no concerns had been raised by Botswana on the matter. However, she acknowledged that discussions are ongoing with African countries, including Botswana, on importing hunting trophies. The spokesperson also emphasized the country's commitment to sustainable and legal practices, particularly due to the alarming loss of biological diversity.

Germany, which is currently one of the largest importers of hunting trophies in the European Union, already requires import authorization for African elephant hunting trophies under existing rules. Discussions within the EU are now focused on expanding the list of protected species and potentially imposing stricter import restrictions.

As the dispute over hunting trophies intensifies, both Botswana and Germany find themselves at odds over the conservation of elephants. The resolution of this issue will likely have significant implications for wildlife preservation and international relations.