‘ELEPHANT MEAT CANNING’

Botswana Considers Culling Elephants and Using the Meat For Pet Food

New government report recommends an elephant cull.

Botswana cabinet ministers have recommended culling elephants and using the meat for pet food, the BBC reports. A report by the ministers, based on months of public meetings and consultations, says the government should lift a four-year hunting ban on elephants and introduce culling. It specifically recommends the “establishment of elephant meat canning” for pet food. Some have argued that the number of elephants in the country—believed to be around 130,000—is destructive for the country's ecosystem. The report says that the elephant population should be reduced to “within its historic range” using “regular but limited elephant culling” among other measures. The plans are not yet confirmed—President Mokgweetsi Masisi said: “I can promise you and the nation that we will consider it. A white paper will follow and it will be shared with the public.”