Ex Gratia Payments for Loss of Human Life Due to Wild Animal Attacks in Botswana: Implications for Practice and Policies

Abstract

Ex gratia compensation is paid only to families of human–wildlife conflict (HWC) victims who are killed by wildlife, not to victims who are injured by wild animals, regardless of the severity of the injury, even if it results in permanent disability. This study was conducted to assess the relevance and effectiveness of ex gratia payments to victims of wild animal attacks. Participants included traditional leadership (chiefs), government officials, wildlife nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and victims and their caretakers. Local people exposed to life-threatening wildlife attacks express fear and animosity towards wild animals, and they also feel left out from and disappointed by a fragmented government service delivery system. In particular, delays in processing ex gratia compensation payment militate against the effectiveness of the ex gratia compensation scheme. Accordingly, the payment of ex gratia process should be re-engineered to improve its effectiveness so that it serves its novel objectives. This study recommends establishment of an Ex Gratia Scheme or Ex Gratia Tribunal where all HWC injuries or death incidents can be effectively dealt with. Most importantly, compensation should consider health care and rehabilitation, loss of reasonable income, and associated disability care as a result of being attacked by the wild animals.