Elephant Conservation Backlash: Botswana is facing sharp criticism after its Ministry of Environment and Tourism authorised the killing of 23 elephants for Independence celebrations, with activists warning it could weaken anti-poaching messages and even fuel poaching by normalising elephant slaughter. Foot-and-Mouth Concerns: Critics also raised worries about eating game meat during a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, while MPs questioned how carcasses are distributed and suggested better packaging for hygiene and fair access. KAZA Regenerative Tourism: In a more positive conservation push, KAZA launched a Regenerative Nature-Based Tourism initiative with EU and German support, aiming to protect biodiversity while boosting local enterprise and livelihoods, especially for women, youth and communities near protected areas. Okavango Basin Cooperation: Botswana, Namibia and Angola reaffirmed cross-border protection for the Okavango River Basin through the Okavango Eternal partnership, focusing on coordinated conservation that matches the basin’s natural water flows. Wildlife Health in the Delta: A Botswana outreach effort helped a stallion survive a crocodile attack in the Okavango Delta, highlighting the need for veterinary support in remote communities where people and wildlife share the same spaces. Agricultural Heritage Skills: Botswana joined a regional FAO workshop building capacity for Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems, supporting communities to prepare nominations and dynamic conservation action plans.