Botswana, widely recognized for its vast cattle herds numbering 2.1 million and its position as Africa's leading exporter of high-quality beef, has made the decision to include elephant and other wild game meat on the menu for its 60th Independence Day anniversary on 30/9.

Last weekend, Wynter Mmolotsi, Botswana's Minister of Environment and Tourism, announced the government's approval to issue hunting licenses across 20 administrative areas nationwide. This measure is intended to facilitate preparations for the upcoming national celebration.

The decision aligns with the 1992 Wildlife and National Parks Conservation Act, which empowers the head of the tourism sector to grant controlled exploitation rights for wild animals under specific conditions.

Elephants in Botswana. Photo: BBC

Under Minister Mmolotsi's licensing directive, various districts have been allocated specific quotas: North West, Okavango, and Boteti are each permitted to cull three elephants; North East and Tutume are each allowed 4 elephants; Serowe and Bobirwa can each take two elephants. The Chobe district has been authorized to hunt two elephants and 11 Eland antelopes.

Beyond elephants, the list of animals approved for hunting to supply meat for the grand celebration includes several other herbivore species such as: Kudu, Gemsbok, Impala, and wildebeest.

The Botswana government views the provision of elephant meat for the independence day festivities as a strategic solution to mitigate human-wildlife conflict, particularly in agricultural regions.

Botswana is home to the world's largest elephant population, estimated at approximately 132,000 individuals. This abundance leads the authorities to believe that culling a small number of elephants for a national event is both a reasonable and viable approach.

Hong Hanh (According to Tanzanian Times, The Patriot)