Botswana elephant relocation efforts stall due to high transport costs

Botswana’s efforts to relocate its surplus elephant population to other African nations have stalled due to the high costs of transportation and logistics. Environment and Tourism Minister Wynter Mmolotsi stated that while several countries have expressed interest in receiving the animals, the deals often fail once prospective recipients are confronted with the financial burden of moving them.

Mozambique is the most recent country to withdraw from such an arrangement. Although Mozambique had previously shown interest, the country backtracked after learning it would be responsible for the transportation costs. This follows a 2018 pledge by Botswana to provide 500 elephants to Mozambique.

Botswana is home to one of the world’s largest populations of African savannah elephants, with government estimates exceeding 130,000 animals. President Duma Boko has previously noted that the expense of moving elephants is prohibitive and has suggested exploring natural migration corridors as an alternative to relocation.