The Elephants Protection Society (EPS)—a non-governmental organisation dedicated to elephant conservation and fostering human-wildlife coexistence—has denied allegations that it is pushing a foreign agenda against trophy hunting.
While the EPS remains firmly anti-hunting, the group clarified that it is not influenced by international animal rights organisations to frustrate the government’s stance on the issue. Addressing the media in Maun this week, founding director Oaitse Nawa stated that the organisation is neither driven nor funded by foreign interests to pursue its mandate.
“We are aware of reports claiming we are driven by white people, which is not true. We are driven by the concerns of communities in elephant-populated areas that suffer daily,” Nawa stressed. “We are not funded; we survive by making requests to those willing to help us. We cannot turn down much-needed assistance, regardless of its source.”
Nawa further distanced the organisation from former President Ian Khama, a known anti-hunting advocate, noting they have no formal working relationship. However, Nawa indicated they would accept conservation assistance from Khama if offered.
The EPS frequently speaks out against trophy hunting, arguing that it alters animal behaviour, triggers conflict, and increases danger to local residents. The group previously filed an urgent application with the Gaborone High Court to suspend the 2026 hunting season. Nawa explained the legal action was taken because the Ministry of Environment and Tourism ignored their requests for consultation before releasing the 2026 hunting quota.
Prior to the quota’s release, the EPS urged the government to increase compensation for elephant damage, introduce direct compensation for personal injuries, and provide insurance for people in wildlife-prone areas. Nawa revealed they have since withdrawn the court case, as the ministry is currently reviewing policies to better assist victims of human-wildlife conflict.
He noted that resolutions from the recent International Parliamentary Roundtable on Human-Wildlife Coexistence in Gaborone addressed several of their grievances. The event brought together global policymakers to tackle rising tensions between humans and wildlife. “We decided to withdraw the case for now because our concerns were discussed, and we are waiting to see if they are put into action,” Nawa said.
Nawa emphasised that legal action was not an attempt to fight the government, but to ensure fair representation for co-existing communities. “Officials in Gaborone cannot make decisions for rural residents without their input; they do not live the same lifestyle. Our concern is that decisions are made for us without consultation.” However, Nawa remains opposed to the government’s decision to allocate a hunting quota of 11 elephants in the NG35 area (covering Maun and surroundings), arguing it endangers locals. He stated that EPS will continue to sensitise communities to remain alert, as hunting can alter elephant behaviour and lead to increased conflict
