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Botswana has found itself at the centre of a fierce controversy after authorising the killing of 23 elephants to supply meat for the country's 60th independence anniversary celebrations. The decision, approved through a licence issued by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, has drawn sharp criticism from animal welfare campaigners who argue it could weaken decades of conservation gains. The licence, which was reported by local media outlets, permits the hunting of the 23 elephants along with other wild animals for what officials described as "complimentary purposes."
The southern African nation, which marks six decades of independence from Britain on Wednesday, is hosting festivities across the country. The government has arranged a programme that includes a carnival in the capital Gaborone, cultural performances, concerts and sporting events. As part of the traditional feasting that accompanies such national milestones, game meat is expected to be served to communities in various districts, with the 23 elephants distributed across eight regions.
The Elephant Protection Society, a Botswana-based advocacy group, has been among the most vocal critics of the plan. Its chairman, Oaitse Nawa, told the BBC that elephants require stronger protection rather than being targeted for celebratory meals. He cautioned that slaughtering the animals for festivities could inadvertently fuel poaching by sending a signal that killing elephants is acceptable when the government itself sanctions it. Nawa also highlighted the social toll on elephant herds, noting that the animals have lost their traditional social structures because they are constantly being displaced by gunshots.
Concerns have also emerged on social media, where some Batswana expressed unease about consuming the game meat amid an ongoing outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. Authorities have already introduced containment measures to curb the spread of the disease, and the prospect of distributing elephant meat during such a period has added another layer of anxiety for local communities.
In Maun, a tourism town in north-western Botswana, community elder Tshenatshe Monwela told local media that his area should have received buffalo instead of elephant meat. He argued that elephants hold particular cultural and ecological value, and that Botswana's long-standing role in protecting wildlife and livestock should have been reflected in how the government allocated meat for the anniversary. His comments point to a broader sensitivity about which animals are considered appropriate for such occasions.
By Wednesday morning, it remained unclear how many of the 23 elephants had actually been killed. The BBC said it had approached the government for comment but had not yet received a response. Meanwhile, local media published images from various parts of the country showing residents gathering around elephant carcasses, with some carrying knives and sharing the meat. The scenes illustrate both the scale of the operation and the strong demand for game meat in wildlife-rich areas.
In Chobe, a district in northern Botswana known for its abundant wildlife and its proximity to Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, a local MP raised concerns about how the meat was being distributed. Simasiku Mapulanga said residents had reportedly collected portions directly from a carcass at a school, a practice he warned could lead to congestion and leave elderly people, pregnant women and people with disabilities at a disadvantage. He suggested the meat should be processed into 5kg or 10kg packages to improve hygiene and ensure fairer distribution.
Writing on Facebook and attaching photos of people scrambling for meat around an elephant carcass, Mapulanga appealed for better organisation in future distributions. "For the sake of dignity, fairness and public hygiene, we respectfully call on the hunter and the relevant leadership to ensure that future distributions are properly organised," he posted. His intervention underscores the logistical and ethical challenges that have accompanied the government's decision.
Elephant meat is not an everyday staple in Botswana, though it is common in some wildlife-rich communities, particularly when meat from legal hunts is shared locally. The country maintains tight regulations on game meat, and legal possession generally requires proof that the meat came from a lawful hunt. This regulatory framework is intended to prevent illegal trade and ensure that any distribution is traceable.
The controversy has reignited a long-running debate in Botswana over how the country should manage its enormous elephant population. With more than 130,000 elephants, Botswana is home to the world's largest concentration of the species. Communities living alongside the animals have repeatedly complained that elephants destroy crops, damage property and sometimes kill people, creating tensions that successive governments have struggled to resolve.
The government has defended regulated hunting as a tool for managing elephant numbers and human-wildlife conflict while generating income for local communities. Minister of Environment and Tourism Wynter Mmolotsi told parliament last year that special elephant quotas raised 15.6 million pula, equivalent to about $1.1 million or £820,000, in 2025 for projects in areas where elephants are found. Officials argue that such revenue supports conservation and local development, though conservation organisations have questioned whether the level of hunting is sustainable.
Botswana's hunting policies have shifted over the years. The country banned trophy hunting in 2014 under former President Ian Khama, but the restrictions were lifted five years later by his successor, Mokgweetsi Masisi. Hunting has continued under President Duma Boko, who defeated Masisi in the 2024 elections. The government maintains that proceeds from hunting are channelled back into conservation and community projects.
Supporters of Botswana's approach argue that international criticism often overlooks the heavy costs borne by rural communities living alongside one of the world's biggest elephant populations. They point out that elephants destroy crops and infrastructure and pose a danger to people, especially as their range increasingly overlaps with farms and settlements. For these communities, the debate is not merely about animal welfare but about livelihoods, safety and the right to benefit from wildlife resources.
As Botswana celebrates its diamond jubilee, the elephant cull has become an unexpected focal point, drawing attention to the complex balancing act between conservation, community needs and national symbolism. With images of carcasses being shared and distributed in public spaces, the government faces questions not only about the ethics of the decision but also about how it was implemented. The coming days may bring further scrutiny as officials respond to the criticism and as the full scale of the killings becomes clear.
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