Live by the gun, die by the gun: An Analysis of Botswana’s ‘shoot-to-kill’ policy as an anti-poaching strategy

Abstract

Notwithstanding the adoption of various anti-poaching strategies, rhino and elephant poaching levels are increasingly growing in Southern African. To protect wildlife, the government of Botswana has devised and implemented controversial ‘shoot to kill’ policy against poachers. This strategy appears to be working in reducing poaching which is thought to be ‘virtually non-existent’ in Botswana. Thus the neighbouring countries have resorted to relocate their rhino populations to Botswana. This paper discusses the militarisation of conservation generally as a policy alternative. It makes an in-depth assessment of Botswana’s shoot-to-kill policy. This article adopts an exploratory research method to review the relevant literature in investigating the effectiveness of Botswana’s shoot-to-kill policy. It investigates whether this policy can be adopted by other countries particularly South Africa to combat poaching. This policy analysis is important for South Africa as it has been forced to transfer or migrate a substantial number of rhinos to Botswana.

Fall from grace or back down to earth? Conservation and political conflict in Africa’s “miracle” state

“…The debates regarding the militarization of conservation are polarized, often dividing proponents from more critical scholars in political geography. On one side are scholars and practitioners who view green militarization as an appropriate and legitimate approach to save wildlife that is on the verge of extinction (Henk, 2007; Hubschle and Jooste, 2017; Jooste and Ferreira, 2018; Mogomotsi and Madigele, 2017). The argument is that militarization is effective in aiding conservation, reducing poaching, and leading to growing wildlife numbers and can be justified upon those terms.…”

“…For these reasons, Henk (2007) has lauded the BDF anti-poaching as a success model in dealing with poaching. Observers over the years, including researchers (Mogomotsi and Madigele, 2017), tourism industry operators (Author 1 Interview, tourism operator, 6 November 2013), and commentators in popular culture suggested this was a model for other countries in Africa to follow. For example, the 2013 wildlife documentary Poaching Wars featuring British actor Tom Hardy was an almost hagiographic tribute to the role of the BDF in anti-poaching and featured interviews with major political actors, including Tshekedi Khama, brother to Ian Khama and the Minister of Wildlife, Environment, and Tourism 1 at the time.…”

“…Underlying this discussion is the fact that Botswana has over the years sanctioned a “shoot-to-kill” policy in anti-poaching enforcement, which aims to deter suspected poachers from entering or operating in Botswana (Mogomotsi and Madigele, 2017). However, as a result, scores of suspected poachers have been killed, often Namibian and Zimbabwean nationals, creating diplomatic tensions with neighboring countries (Dube, 2020; Konopo, 2020; Mail and Guardian, 2015; Tau, 2020) and generating concern around the extrajudicial nature of these killings.…”

Introduction: Fallen from grace? the legacy and state of Southern African conservation

“…The fanfare around the establishment of TFCAs soon waned in the face of intensifying transboundary wildlife crime, especially the surge in rhino poaching since 2008, but also other species important to commercial wildlife trade like elephant, lion and pangolin. In response, many conservation practitioners and scholars have urged for more enforcement to protect biodiversity, including the closing of TFCA borders (Mogomotsi and Madigele, 2017; see also the NGO National Parks Rescue ). 1 This triggered a substantial militarization of conservation and translated into different forms of ‘green violence’: the use of violent methods and discourses to conserve biodiversity (Lunstrum, 2014, Büscher and Ramutsindela, 2016; Duffy et al, 2019; Mushonga, 2021; Ramutsindela et al, 2022a).…”

Trends in elephant poaching in the Mid‐Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe: Lessons learnt and future outlook

“…Following this decline, mainly related to poaching, anti‐poaching strategies have increased within the Mid‐Zambezi Valley to combat the illegal killing of elephants. Ideally, increased anti‐poaching or law enforcement strategies are expected to reduce poaching incidences in any protected area (Mahatara et al, 2018; Mogomotsi & Madigele, 2017). For instance, increased patrol effort allows the early detection of poaching activity (e.g.…”