Botswana: Botswana Criticised for Slaughtering 23 Elephants for Independence Celebrations

Botswana has authorized the slaughter of 23 elephants and other wildlife to provide meat for celebrations marking the country's upcoming 60th anniversary of independence. The decision involves state-sanctioned culling of protected species for national festivities.

The authorization has drawn direct criticism from animal rights organizations and conservation groups. The opposition centers on the ethical and environmental implications of killing endangered or heavily protected wildlife for celebratory public consumption.