Botswana Approves Killing of 23 Elephants for Independence Day Celebrations

Botswana's government authorized the culling of 23 elephants this week, coinciding with the nation's 60th independence day celebrations. Authorities stated the elephants would provide meat for needy rural communities.

The decision has faced criticism from conservationists and former President Ian Khama, who previously led the country from 2008 to 2018.

Botswana is home to an estimated 130,000 elephants, the largest population of any country on the continent. The African savanna elephant is listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. In 2019, Botswana lifted a ban on elephant hunting, citing concerns over the growing elephant population and increased human-wildlife conflict.

The government issues annual hunting quotas, typically ranging between 200 and over 400 elephants, to manage population numbers and mitigate conflicts where herds destroy crops and infrastructure. Dozens of antelope were also authorized for culling as part of the independence day initiative.

The Botswana Elephant Protection Society expressed concern that the cull could provoke more aggressive behavior from remaining herds. "When one elephant is shot, the rest become defensive," the organization stated.

Government officials defended the hunt, with Dimakatso Ntshebe, deputy director at the department of wildlife and national parks, asserting that "Wildlife conservation must deliver meaningful benefits to the communities that live alongside wildlife and contribute to its protection."

Khama, who now holds a traditional governance role, disagreed with the decision, warning it could set a precedent for future national events. In 2024, Botswana's government offered to relocate tens of thousands of elephants to countries like the U.K. and Germany in response to criticism of trophy hunting, with then-President Mokgweetsi Masisi stating that managing elephants was "no joke."