Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi and some neighbouring heads of state will hold an Elephant summit in the tourism town of Kasane in northern Botswana on 7th May, an event in which crucial decisions will be made will affect the fate of the animal, APA learned Monday.
The minister responsible for Tourism Kitso Mokaila said the talks will look at various issues regarding elephant management which include among others off-loading some of the growing elephant population in Botswana to neighbouring countries.
According to Mokaila, the summit will also assist the Botswana government to refine its decision on the hunting ban.
This follows a committee appointed by President Masisi embarked on a massive consultation drive following concerns about the increasing elephant population which was impacting negatively on communities.
The minister said the May 7 summit, expected to be graced by six heads of state whose countries had high elephant populations, would discuss off-loading the species to other countries.
KO/as/APA