Gaberone: Botswana's government has revoked the licences of two professional hunters who shot dead a research elephant and then destroyed its collar to try to hide the evidence.

In a statement late on Saturday, the environment and tourism ministry said that professional hunters Michael Lee Potter and Kevin Sharp had surrendered their licences after shooting the elephant at the end of last month.

A file picture of elephants at a safari park in Botswana.

Their nationalities could not be immediately established. Potter was banned for an indefinite period and Sharp for three years. Neither hunter was available for comment.

"In addition, the two hunters will replace the destroyed collar," the ministry said. "The Ministry will work with the hunting industry to ensure that the necessary ethical standards are upheld."