THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF THE

Abstract

The management of the African elephant is important because of their unique role in African ecosystems and their value to humans. Sound management principles require a multi-disciplinary resource management approach which considers a fine balance between biological, social, economic and political factors. It is believed that sufficient development of these factors will provide necessary incentives to involved parties to manage elephant populations efficiently, equitably and on a sustainable basis. Botswana holds one of the largest elephant populations on the African continent. Most of the elephants are concentrated in the Northern part of the country. There has been much controversy however over how these elephants have been managed. Perhaps the most important aspect behind this is Botswana s decision to apply a non-interference approach to elephant population control. The question thus remains is Botswana managing its elephants as a natural resource effectively and are their current policies sustainable? This report is an exploratory study which examines existing strategies used in the management of the African elephant as a resource in Botswana, with emphasis placed on the critical success factors thereof. The objectives of the research are to identify whether existing strategies and policies are sufficient to manage the elephants on a sustainable basis. The research also proposes alternative strategies for the management of the elephants based on the views and opinions of experts in the elephant management profession