Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Botswana Faces Backlash Over Elephant Killings for Independence Celebrations
Botswana allowed 23 elephants to be killed during its Independence Day celebrations.
Officials said the meat would help rural communities that need food.
They also said hunting can help manage the country’s large elephant population.
Botswana has an estimated 130,000 elephants, more than any other country.
But conservationists disagreed with the decision.
One group warned that surviving elephants could become more defensive after a herd member is shot.
Former president Ian Khama also opposed the move.
He worried it could lead to elephants being killed at future national events.
Botswana authorised the killing of 23 elephants for its Independence Day celebrations.
Authorities said the elephant meat would be given to needy rural communities.
The hunt coincided with the 60th anniversary of Botswana’s independence from Britain.
Officials defended hunting as a way to manage elephant numbers and benefit communities living near wildlife.
Conservationists and former president Ian Khama criticised the decision, warning it could have harmful effects.
- Who
- Botswana’s government authorised the hunt; conservationists and former president Ian Khama criticised it.
- What
- The government authorised the killing of 23 elephants, with meat intended for needy rural communities.
- When
- The authorisation was announced on Friday, October 2, ahead of Independence Day celebrations that week.
- Where
- Botswana, with hunting licences issued in districts across the country.
- Why
- Authorities said the meat would support needy rural communities and defended hunting as a way to manage elephant numbers and benefit communities living alongside wildlife.
Government and Supporters
Critics
Purpose of the hunt
Government and Supporters
Officials said the meat would go to needy rural communities and argued that conservation should provide meaningful benefits to people living alongside wildlife.
Critics
The Botswana Elephant Protection Society called the decision reckless and warned that shooting an elephant could make the rest of its herd more defensive.
Elephant management
Government and Supporters
Officials have defended hunting quotas as a way to manage elephant numbers and limit conflict between people and elephants.
Critics
Ian Khama opposed the move, saying it could create an expectation that elephants would be killed for future national events.
- Elephants authorised for killing
- 23
- Estimated elephant population
- About 130,000, the largest in any country, according to the article
- Independence anniversary
- 60th anniversary of independence from Britain
- Hunting ban lifted
- 2019
- Annual elephant quotas in recent years
- Between 200 and more than 400, depending on the year
- Other animals included
- Dozens of antelope were also approved for killing under the initiative
- Conservation status
- African savanna elephants are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature