Botswana Approves Hunting of 23 Elephants for Meat During Independence Celebrations

Botswana’s government has approved licences to hunt 23 elephants for their meat during the country’s Independence Day celebrations this week.

The authorisation allows the animals to be hunted as part of the festivities. It concerns a specified number of elephants rather than an unrestricted hunt.

The decision has drawn criticism from conservation advocates, putting the planned hunts at the centre of a dispute over wildlife protection.

One of Botswana’s former presidents has also criticised the approval, adding a prominent political voice to the opposition surrounding the move.