Elephant Poaching in Botswana Shoots Up

Tusk-less carcasses of around 90 elephants have been found near a famous wildlife sanctuary in Botswana, according to reports from an aerial survey conducted by conservationists. Elephants Without Borders, the organization conducting the survey, reported that the dramatic uptick in deaths is the largest ever seen in Africa. Newly elected Motswana Permanent Secretary to the President, Carter Morupisi, cut government funding this May, withdrawing military weapons and equipment from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks.

By the most recent estimates, Botswana is home to about two out of every five elephants in Africa. Elephants Without Borders’ most up to date aerial survey from 2016 shows that Botswana had just managed to keep deaths, largely from poaching, under the critical 8 percent mark. When the carcass ratio reaches above 8 percent, the elephant population goes into decline. For most conservationist, a rising carcass ratio is indicative of a rising poaching problem. Countries like Cameroon, Mozambique, and Angola have some of the highest carcass ratios. Elephants have been known to avoid those regions due to the violence they experience there.