Can Hunting Save Rural Communities? Botswana Wildlife Debate

Is hunting helping or hurting conservation in Botswana? In this episode of Wild BW, host Oshinka Tsiang sits down with Leonard Matenje, Chairman of the Botswana Wildlife Producers Association (BWPA), for an in-depth discussion about the state of hunting, conservation, community development, and the future of Botswana's wildlife economy. Leonard explains the role of BWPA, how hunting quotas are managed, the importance of ethical hunting practices, and why hunting remains a critical source of income, employment, and food security for many rural communities. He also addresses common criticisms of hunting, the impact of international anti-hunting campaigns, and the opportunities that sustainable wildlife utilization can create for conservation and economic growth. The conversation also explores Botswana's new CBNRM framework, government support for hunting tourism, plans for a future hunting expo in Botswana, community empowerment initiatives, professional hunter training programs, and the challenges facing the industry, including Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) restrictions. Topics Discussed: ✅ The role of BWPA in Botswana's wildlife sector ✅ How hunting quotas are allocated and managed ✅ Hunting and community livelihoods ✅ Conservation through sustainable wildlife use ✅ The impact of anti-hunting campaigns ✅ Botswana's new CBNRM legislation ✅ Hunting tourism and economic opportunities ✅ Training the next generation of professional hunters ✅ Wildlife value chains and rural development ✅ The future of hunting in Botswana What are your thoughts on hunting as a conservation tool? Let us know in the comments. #WildBW #BotswanaWildlife #HuntingInBotswana #Conservation #WildlifeManagement #BWPA #LeonardMatenge #CommunityConservation #SafariHunting #BotswanaTourism #WildlifeEconomy #CBNRM #AfricanConservation #SustainableUse #HuntingDebate