Botswana Faces Backlash Over Licence to Hunt 23 Elephants for Independence Events

Botswana has faced criticism after reportedly authorising the hunting of 23 elephants in eight districts to provide meat for celebrations marking the country's 60th independence anniversary.

Botswana is facing criticism from animal-rights campaigners after a reported licence authorised the hunting of 23 elephants during celebrations marking the country’s 60th anniversary of independence from the United Kingdom.

The licence was issued by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and covered eight districts, according to BBC reporting cited in the source material. The elephants were reportedly intended to provide meat for feasting during festive events held across the country.

The government has not said how many elephants, if any, were actually killed. The eight districts covered by the licence have also not been identified, and it has not been established whether the authorisation was fully carried out.

Conservation concerns

The decision prompted criticism from animal-rights activists, including the Botswana-based Elephant Protection Society. The organisation warned that the policy could weaken conservation efforts and encourage poaching.

In comments reported by the BBC, the society said the decision could undermine conservation. It also warned that killing members of an elephant herd could cause other elephants to become aggressive, potentially putting nearby human communities at risk.

Some social media users raised a separate concern about the possible spread of illness. Their comments came as Botswana was facing an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. The concern was expressed online and was not independently verified in the source material.

Debate over elephant management

Botswana is home to the world’s largest elephant population, with about 130,000 animals. Authorities have often defended regulated hunting as a way to manage elephant numbers.

The reported authorisation has renewed debate over how the country should balance wildlife conservation, population management and local food needs during national events.

Botswana’s independence celebrations were held across the country on Wednesday. However, the exact calendar date of the events was not stated in the available reporting.