Botswana government ends ban on elephant hunting, citing conflicts with humans

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Man crushed to death by elephant after hitting it to make it sit

A man in Kerala, southern India was crushed to death by an elephant after he beat it with a stick while washing it. Arun Panikkar, who cared for the elephant, stood near the side of the elephant as he apparently instructed it to sit. He then hit the animal with a stick, slipping just as the huge beast falls onto the ground, crushing him. Another caretaker then rushes into view and attempts to move the huge elephant but it was too late.

The Botswana government has lifted a ban on hunting elephants, citing conflicts between humans and the gentle giants. The country is home to the largest amount of elephants in the world.

The South African nation's government in a statement posted online Wednesday announced the hunting ban, which was implemented in 2014, was no longer in effect after consultations with stakeholders.

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Hunting will resume "in an orderly and ethical manner," but the government did not reveal how it would be regulated.

There are an estimated 130,000 elephants in Botswana, which has more space than many other countries for animals to roam.

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Officials determined that there was an increase in the elephant population that allowed elephants to cause "damage as they kill livestock in large numbers."

The decision is likely to bring protests from wildlife protection groups.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.