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Should trophy hunting be allowed in Africa?

Botswana’s Environment minister is opposing a proposed UK ban on the importation of animal parts

Should there be a ban on the importation of the body parts of wild animals, like lion pelts, elephant tusks or zebra hides into Britain?

That’s a question currently being considered by British lawmakers.

Cases like Cecil the Lion - killed by an American dentist in Zimbabwe - have raised concern about the practice worldwide – and the image of white foreigners killing African wildlife disturbs many people.

But the leaders of some African countries argue that trophy hunting can be GOOD for the environment.

Botswana’s environment minister Philda Nani Kereng has been leading a delegation of officials from southern Africa to plead with lawmakers not to pass the law, or at least to make some amendments to it.

Botswana has a population of 150,000 elephants, the largest anywhere in the world.

So what are the arguments surrounding trophy hunting?

PRESENTER: Alan @kasujja

GUESTS:
Philda Nani Kereng, Botswana’s Environment Minister.
Polson Majaga, a member of Botswana’s parliament representing a community heavily reliant on proceeds from trophy hunting.
Henry Smith, the British MP sponsoring the bill.

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20 minutes

Podcast