Botswana Kills 23 Elephants for Independence Anniversary Feasts

The Government of Botswana authorized the killing of 23 elephants and other wild animals to provide meat for traditional feasts marking the country's 60th anniversary of independence from Britain on September 30. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism issued licenses for the hunts for complimentary purposes, allocating the meat across eight districts.

The decision drew sharp criticism from animal rights activists and the Elephant Protection Society, who warned that state-sanctioned killing could encourage poaching, increase elephant aggression toward humans, and disrupt the animals' social structures. Government officials defended the move, noting that regulated hunting is a necessary tool for managing human-wildlife conflict and generating revenue for local development. Minister of Environment and Tourism Wynter Mmolotsi reported that special elephant quotas raised 15.6 million pula in 2025.

Local concerns emerged regarding public health and logistics. Some residents questioned the safety of consuming game meat during a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. Additionally, Member of Parliament Simasiku Mapulanga criticized the unorganized distribution of meat in the Chobe district, reporting that residents were forced to scramble for meat directly from carcasses at a school, which he cited as a failure of hygiene and fairness.