ABSTRACT
This chapter provides the historical development of the wildlife industry in Botswana. It highlights the impact of commercialisation and globalisation of wildlife resources in the country. The chapter explores alternative policies that need to be considered if the sustainability of wildlife resource utilisation is to be achieved in the country. It argues that Botswana's wildlife resources are in a state of constant decline. This decline is occurring partly because of the process of globalisation which has promoted the commercialisation of the wildlife resources. The globalisation of Botswana's wildlife industry in the colonial and post-colonial period cannot be fully understood without an explanation of how the industry was organised prior to European arrival and influence on trade in the country. Globalisation of the wildlife industry has also resulted in the need to develop the tourism sector in Botswana. A common feature of the wildlife industry in pre-colonial Botswana is non-commercialisation and hence non-globalisation, of the industry.
