16 Apr 2025

The struggle for coexistence between humans and wildlife in Botswana is a pressing issue that reflects broader global challenges.

In A Fine Balance, a documentary film directed by Robbie Kroger, explores the complexities surrounding sustainable hunting and the ramifications for communities living alongside wildlife are examined. The film highlights the precarious equilibrium these communities must maintain; balancing their survival against the needs of wildlife conservation.

Botswana, home to approximately 130 000 elephants, grapples with the consequences of human-wildlife conflict, particularly in areas like Sankoyo and Sepako and other communities in the periphery of wildlife parks. The introduction of a hunting ban from 2014 to 2019 stripped locals of vital income linked to hunting quotas, which previously supported families and community development initiatives.

Kroger illuminates the paradoxes faced by those living near wildlife-rich areas, where the daily struggle for essentials like water and pastures is hampered by the constant threat posed by elephants and other wild animals.

Leon Kachelhoffer, vice chairperson of Botswana Wildlife Producers Association, emphasises that hunting historically served as a buffer for the Okavango Delta ecosystem. 

“Wildlife is our national heritage, and we have no intention of destroying it,” he asserts.

Though ecotourism is suggested as an alternative solution to the conflict, many areas in Botswana, such as NG 13, an area in the Okavango Delta, remain under served and under developed for such ventures.

“It is crucial to develop strategies that enable rural communities to thrive, especially as poaching continues to be an issue,” adds Kachelhoffer. 

For villages like Mababe, hunting helps fund education and food security as it contributes to a trust the residents for development of the village, yet it is not without challenges.

Member of Parliament for Maun North and Leader of Opposition, Dumelang Saleshando notes that while Botswana may face criticism for its hunting policies, the reality is that responsible, community-involved hunting is essential for the region’s sustainability.

He notes that international hunting lobby often portrays the situation in a negative light, overlooking the local perspectives. 

“We need a fair, sustainable use of hunting; communities value wildlife, but the profit must also translate into real benefits for them,” Saleshando argues.

Local voices emphasise the need for better resource allocation, so communities can benefit from hunting tourism rather than being left behind.

 Trust Serumola, a local hunter, points that international hunters often receive premium treatment while locals struggle.

“We need tailored training programmes that prepare locals to engage at international standards,” he explains.

As the documentary, A Fine Balance illustrates that challenges of human-wildlife conflict and hunting sustainably in Botswana is multidimensional, intertwining the economic survival with conservation efforts.

The future of both wildlife and local communities hinges on developing sustainable practices that enable coexistence while ensuring that the benefits of wildlife resources reach those most affected. 

The need for dialogue, education, and revision of hunting policies remains critical for securing a balanced future. ENDS