Botswana threatened to send 40 thousand elephants to Germany over ivory dispute
Botswana's authorities have sharply escalated the conflict with Germany over elephant protection policy. Minister of Environment Vintor Baypuso Molotlhi stated that his country is ready to "deport" 40 thousand elephants to Germany.
Photo: Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images
According to him, the large number of elephants in the country leads to the destruction of agricultural land and human deaths, and the ban on ivory trade deprives the state of funds for compensating farmers, writes Bild.
"We don't need development aid. We want to earn our own money, including from animals. It's not good to beg. Someone, apparently, likes to see us in this position," said Molotlhi.
The reason for the harsh statements was Berlin's position, which, like the European Union as a whole, opposes the opening of even certified ivory trade.
According to Molotlhi, there are currently about 150 thousand elephants in the country, and 160 tons of ivory are stored in warehouses, mostly from animals that died a natural death.