Botswana condemned for slaughtering 23 elephants for independence celebrations
Botswana is facing backlash from animal rights activists for authorizing the culling of 23 elephants to provide meat for its 60th independence anniversary celebrations. Critics argue the move undermines conservation efforts and could inadvertently encourage poaching.
Why it matters
The decision highlights the ongoing tension between wildlife conservation, cultural traditions, and government management of natural resources in Southern Africa.
Animal rights activists have criticised Botswana's decision to authorise the killing of 23 elephants to provide meat for independence celebrations.
The southern African country, home to the world's largest elephant population, is holding nationwide festivities on Wednesday to mark the 60th anniversary of independence from Britain.
A licence issued by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, seen by local media, authorises the hunting of 23 elephants and other wild animals for "complimentary purposes".
The Botswana-based Elephant Protection Society warns the decision could undermine conservation, with its chairman Oaitse Nawa telling the BBC elephants needed greater protection.
He warned that slaughtering elephants for celebratory feasting could encourage poaching by creating the impression that killing elephants is acceptable when sanctioned by government.
"Elephants have lost their social structures because they are always being pushed from one place to another by gunshots," Nawa said.
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