Botswana has more than doubled revenues from elephant hunting this year compared to what the country realised the last full hunting season seven years ago.
VOA quoted environment and tourism minister Philda Kereng as saying in parliament recently that hunting revenues grew from $1.3 million in 2014 to $2.7 million this year.
“My ministry remains optimistic that the revenue accruing to the communities will continue to grow once restrictions on international travel are fully relaxed,” she said.
“Also the intensive vaccination programs across the world against COVID-19 will also facilitate more interest and more travel.”
Botswana lifted a five-year ban on trophy hunting in 2019 to address growing human-wildlife conflict, and crucially, provide income for local communities.
Gaborone this year issued 287 licenses for elephant hunting.
The international hunters paid up to $43,000 to shoot a single elephant.
Botswana has the biggest elephant population in Africa.