A global treasure under siege

Botswana is home to a third of the world’s African elephants – the largest surviving population on Earth. Once considered the world’s last safe haven for these majestic creatures, Botswana is now one of the most dangerous places for them. Every year, over 400 are shot by trophy hunters, including matriarchs and mature males. Their deaths shatter family structures, fuel elephant aggression, and escalate attacks on humans.

At the same time, elephants are under mounting pressure from habitat loss, human expansion, and climate change. What was once their last safe haven is turning into a battlefield for survival.

A force for change – against the odds

On the frontline of this struggle is Motswana conservationist Oaitse Nawa, founder of Botswana’s Elephants Protection Society (EPS). A lifelong champion for wildlife who believes passionately in safeguarding the future of Botswana’s elephants, Nawa is courageously challenging the powerful hunting lobby and exposing the truth: killing elephants is not a solution, it’s a disaster – for elephants, for people, and for the country’s future.

Instead, he offers real alternatives (which have proved successful elsewhere): practical, non-lethal ways to reduce conflict and increase safety, alongside photo-tourism and other opportunities that bring sustainable income to communities. Against enormous odds, and thanks to his emphasis on changing hearts and minds through education and engagement, Nawa has gained the support of local residents and persuaded village leaders to abandon hunting concessions in favour of a non-hunting model.

The urgent problem

But here is the crisis: Nawa is achieving all of this without any outside support. Like many African grassroots organisations, EPS has no access to the international conservation funding that so often flows instead to foreign-run projects. Yet EPS is exactly the kind of organisation that makes lasting change possible – trusted by local people, experienced in real-world conflict mitigation, and capable of shifting the culture on the ground.

If we do not act now, this fragile progress could collapse – and the hunting lobby will strengthen its grip.

Why your support is critical now

Nawa is standing strong against a well-funded industry that profits from killing elephants. To implement the non-lethal strategies that have won the trust and agreement of so many local residents, EPS is urgently in need of assistance and resources. Without them, his voice risks being drowned out and that trust being eroded. But with help, he can make these strategies a reality:

• Expand non-lethal conflict solutions in villages.

• Equip communities with effective tools to coexist with elephants.

• Strengthen photo-tourism and other ventures as alternatives to hunting: expand opportunities for community-owned trekking, elephant-viewing, and village-based experiences that directly connect visitors to local people. Support artisans in producing elephant-inspired crafts, jewelry, textiles, and souvenirs for the tourism market.

• Creative storytelling & media: train youth and communities to use poetry, music, film, and drama to raise awareness about elephants and market creative works to global audiences.

• Education & awareness: continue inspiring and educating the next generation through school programmes and immersive wildlife activities.

Together, these strategies transform elephants from a source of conflict into a driver of community pride and economic opportunity.

Your donation is not charity – it’s an investment in Africa’s elephants, in truth over propaganda, and in the leadership that will secure their future.

What your donation will do

Your contribution will have a direct, tangible impact and enable us to:

• Fund guide-training programmes.

• Provide beehive-fence toolkits to deter elephants safely.

• Launch craft and e-commerce enterprises that give villagers alternative income.

• Purchase a long-distance vehicle and GPS equipment for rapid response.

• Supply vital communication tools – laptops, phones, digital equipment.

The choice we face

We are at a turning point. EPS’s work is breaking the stranglehold of trophy hunting – but the job is far from finished. If the global conservation community fails to rally behind Nawa now, we risk losing one of Africa’s most courageous defenders of coexistence and, with him, the future of Botswana’s elephants.

Time is running out. Please stand with us. Every donation helps keep elephants alive, communities safe, and a vision of peaceful coexistence within reach.

For all enquiries and information on our projects and proposals, and on ways you can partner with us or otherwise support our message, please contact us. We will also be happy to respond to any media or journalistic enquiries:

Mr Oaitse Nawa

Elephants Protection Society

P. O Box 1867

Maun, Botswana

elephantsprotectionsociety {at} gmail.com

oaitsenawa2 {at} gmail.com

Ways to support EPS:

Amplify

• Share Nawa’s message and EPS’s mission globally - 'the key to a better future lies in coexistence, not violence'.

• Host webinars or panel discussions featuring his story and the pilot Shokomuka project - a model for peaceful coexistence.

Partner

• Travel companies: integrate photo‑tourism packages that support local guides and communities.

• NGOs & academic institutions: collaborate on HEC mitigation pilots and enterprise monitoring.

• Foundations and donors: back 'starter packages' (e.g., guide‑training, craft cooperatives, e-commerce, community visitor hubs).

Invest & Sponsor

• Donate

- General support: Donations

- Project packages: e.g., '50‑Learner Guide Training Program', '10 Beehive Fences + Toolkit', 'Women’s Craft Start‑Up Kit'.

• In‑Kind Support: digital equipment (phones, laptops, photography equipment), beekeeping tools, craft materials, radios.

Please sign this petition to President Boko calling for protection for Botswana's elephants.