Tragic News Update 21 Mar 2017

On the 1st March an incident occurred that involved the death of a male elephant adjacent to one of the farms in the community of Khumaga, with whom we partner with on our Community Coexistence Project. Thankfully the farmer was not injured during the event. The farm was raided by three male elephants in the early hours of the morning. The farmer tried to chase the elephants out of his field with a vehicle. One of the elephants repeatedly charged him, and after firing a warning shot the farmer, fearing for his personal safety, shot the elephant.

In Botswana, a farmer is legally allowed to protect themselves and their property this way and thus no laws were breached. The Problem Animal Control Department of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks were immediately notified of the incident and officers came to remove the ivory for safe keeping.

We are, of course, saddened that this has happened. However, the incident only highlights why our work and this partnership is so important for the safety of farmers living in rural Botswana and the long-term conservation of the African elephant.