Botswana's Ministry of Environment and Tourism issued licences to kill 23 elephants, along with other wildlife, to provide meat for celebrations marking the country's 60th anniversary of independence. The move, defended by officials as wildlife management, has drawn criticism from conservation and animal-welfare groups who warn it could normalise elephant killing and encourage poaching.
Botswana's government authorised the culling of 23 elephants to supply meat for celebrations of the country's 60th anniversary of independence from the United Kingdom, according to Africanews, allAfrica and NT News. The licences also covered other wildlife, including kudu, impala and wildebeest, with meat distributed across eight districts.
The authorisation was issued by Environment and Tourism Minister Wynter Mmolotsi, South African outlet Getaway reported. Getaway reported that the licence, issued by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, authorised the hunting of the elephants and other wildlife for complimentary purposes, with the meat distributed as part of traditional celebrations. Botswana banned trophy hunting in 2014 under then-president Ian Khama, lifted the ban in 2019 under his successor Mokgweetsi Masisi, and hunting has continued under current President Duma Boko, who took office after the 2024 election, according to Getaway.
When It Happened
Getaway and Africanews reported that the independence celebrations took place on Wednesday, September 30, 2026 — Botswana's historical independence date, marked since 1966. Africanews, allAfrica and NT News published their reports on or around October 1, 2026, without separately specifying the day of the week for the event itself. All four outlets described the occasion as the country's 60th independence anniversary.
Government's Reasoning
Officials framed the culling as routine wildlife management rather than a one-off event. Botswana is home to roughly 130,000 elephants, widely cited by the sources as the world's largest elephant population, and authorities argue that unmanaged numbers lead to crop damage, property destruction and risks to people living near wildlife areas.
According to Getaway, Minister Mmolotsi said special elephant hunting quotas generated 15.6 million pula, about US$1.1 million, in 2025, which was channelled into community projects in areas affected by elephants. Government officials cited by Africanews and allAfrica said regulated hunting also helps fund conservation efforts.
Reaction From Conservation Groups
The Elephant Protection Society was the most frequently cited critic across the reports. Its chairman, identified by Getaway as Oaitse Nawa and by NT News as Otasi Nawa, said sanctioning the killings risks creating the impression that killing elephants is acceptable, which could in turn encourage illegal poaching.
Using elephants for celebratory feasts could undermine conservation efforts and encourage poaching.
— Elephant Protection Society, cited by allAfrica
Africanews reported the organisation also warned that killing members of an elephant herd can disrupt the animals' social structures and make surviving elephants more aggressive, potentially endangering nearby human communities.
Hygiene and Disease Concerns
Separately from the ethical debate, several reports noted practical concerns. Getaway reported that local lawmaker Simasiku Mapulanga raised hygiene objections after meat was collected directly from carcasses at a school. NT News and Africanews both linked these concerns to an ongoing foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the region, with social media users and local officials calling for safer meat handling and distribution.
NT News also reported that at least one community member suggested hunting impala instead of elephants, citing elephants' cultural and environmental significance in Botswana.
What Is Known and Unknown
What is established across sources: the Ministry of Environment and Tourism issued licences for 23 elephants and other wildlife across eight districts, tied to independence celebrations, and the decision drew public criticism from conservation groups. What remains unclear from the available reporting: the government has not published a confirmed count of how many elephants were actually killed under the licences, as opposed to the number authorised, according to Africanews.
Key figures cited in coverage of the culling
Figure
Value
Source
Elephants licensed for culling
23
Africanews, allAfrica, NT News, Getaway
Districts covered
8
Africanews, allAfrica, NT News, Getaway
Estimated elephant population in Botswana
~130,000
NT News, Africanews, allAfrica
2025 revenue from special elephant hunting quotas
15.6 million pula (~US$1.1 million)
Getaway, citing Minister Wynter Mmolotsi
Questions
How many elephants did Botswana approve for culling?
Botswana's Ministry of Environment and Tourism issued licences authorising the culling of 23 elephants, along with other wildlife such as kudu, impala and wildebeest, for distribution across eight districts, according to Africanews, allAfrica and NT News.
Why did Botswana authorise the elephant culling?
The government said regulated hunting helps manage a population of roughly 130,000 elephants, reduces human-wildlife conflict such as crop and property damage, and generates revenue for community and conservation projects, according to Getaway and allAfrica.
Who criticised the decision?
The Elephant Protection Society, led by a chairman identified as Oaitse Nawa by Getaway and Otasi Nawa by NT News, warned the move could normalise elephant killing, encourage poaching, and disrupt elephant herd social structures, as reported by Africanews and allAfrica.
Is elephant hunting generally legal in Botswana?
The licence authorising the hunt was issued by Botswana's Ministry of Environment and Tourism for complimentary purposes tied to the independence celebrations, according to Getaway. Botswana banned trophy hunting in 2014 under then-president Ian Khama, lifted the ban in 2019 under his successor Mokgweetsi Masisi, and hunting has continued under current President Duma Boko, who took office after the 2024 election, according to Getaway.
Were there health concerns raised about the meat?
Yes. A local lawmaker raised hygiene concerns after meat was collected directly from carcasses at a school, and reports linked these concerns to a regional foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, according to Getaway, NT News and Africanews.
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