Masisi fended off criticism of his government's decision, saying the move would not threaten the elephant population. All elephant hunting expeditions will be compelled to be accompanied by a guide and a professional, at all times, according to the auction notice. He has defended his decision to end the hunting ban saying Botswana has an overpopulation of elephants, and pledged to regulate the practice. Audrey Delsink, Africa's wildlife director for the global conservation lobby charity Humane Society International said 'the Botswanan elephant hunting auctions are deeply concerning and questionable'. With unfenced parks and wide-open spaces, Botswana has the world's largest elephant population with more than 135,000 animals -- about a third of the African continent's total.

Source: Daily Mail February 07, 2020 12:18 UTC