Botswana Slammed For Killing Elephants For Independence Day Feasts

Botswana Slammed for Killing Elephants for Independence Day Feasts BOTSWANA Botswana Animal rights groups criticized Botswana’s decision to slaughter 23 elephants to provide meat for the country’s Independence Day celebrations, a move that also raised public health concerns and reignited the debate over the country’s wildlife management policies. The southern African country, home to the world’s largest elephant population, held a series of festivities Wednesday to mark the 60th anniversary of its independence from Great Britain. The government issued a special license authorizing the hunting of 23 elephants and other wild animals for “complimentary purposes.” The game meat was reportedly served as part of the traditional feasting associated with the Independence Day celebrations. It was unclear how many animals had been killed by Wednesday, but local media published images of people across Botswana gathering around elephant carcasses, with some carrying knives and sharing the meat. The decision drew criticism from animal rights and conservation groups, which called for greater protections for elephants. They warned that slaughtering the animals for celebrations could undermine conservation efforts and send the wrong message to poachers by suggesting that killing elephants is acceptable when sanctioned by the government. Social media users and lawmakers also questioned the decision to distribute game meat, raising concerns about hygiene and the spread of foot-and-mouth disease across the country. Tshenatshe Monwela, an elder in the northwestern tourist town of Maun, said the community should have received buffalo meat instead. He pointed to Botswana’s history of wildlife conservation and the particular cultural and ecological significance of elephants. The controversy has reignited a broader debate over how Botswana manages its population of elephants, numbering more than 130,000. The government currently permits trophy hunting, arguing that proceeds from regulated hunts support conservation and development in local communities. Environment and Tourism Minister Wynter Mmolotsi told parliament last year that special elephant quotas raised $1.1 million in 2025 for projects in areas where elephants roam. Conservation groups, however, have questioned whether current levels of hunting are sustainable. Government officials and other supporters argue that regulated hunting helps control elephant populations and reduce human-wildlife conflicts. Communities living near elephants have long complained about the animals destroying crops and property and, in some cases, killing residents.