And, Sadly, You're Wasting Your Time, Philda...

I am here to tell you on behalf of my country and many governments across Africa, that to save the animal kingdom we must put sentiment aside — and look at the facts.

But no-one wants to hear the facts, even when they come from the Minister for Environment and Tourism in Botswana. 

You know, someone who the liberal establishment should be listening to, if all their proclamations about self-government meant something...

Hunting revenue has connected villages to clean water and electricity, built roads and schools, founded businesses and helped struggling families. It has also created watering holes for animals that lie safely beyond village boundaries, and created animal-proof censors that can alert villagers if wildlife is close. Sadly, all too often, Westerners focus solely on animal welfare at the expense of human life in Africa.

And you know what the real tragedy is, Philda? 

Often, they couldn't give a damn for the animals either, no matter how they beat their breasts and rend their garments - it's all about stopping people enjoying themselves in ways of which they don't approve...

To talk about wildlife without taking into account lives and livelihoods is a terrible misstep — which is why, while prioritising sustainable development, the Botswanan government also puts people at the heart of policy. So how does it work in practice? Since the 1980s, and with the ongoing support of the UK, we have implemented a community-based natural resource management programme, allocating hunting quotas to communities, administered by a trust set up by villagers. Once issued with their quota, they can then find global partners who will pay for the right to hunt. These rights are tightly controlled and hunting without a permit carries a hefty prison term ranging from five to ten years. The revenue from these permits goes directly into the community coffers.

All things which you'd imagine would be lacking in a country such as Africa... 

Last year, our government raised £1,635,000 from a 'Special Elephant Quota' of 70 elephants, money that was channelled into improving the lives of rural communities.

But sadly, Philda, no-one that you're up against in this challenge wants to improve the lives of rural communities. They don't even really want to save the animals. And they certainly don't want to hear the facts, even from you.