07 Dec 2014

The Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism is aware that the elephant population around the Shashe and Motloutse Rivers near the border with Zimbabwe increases annually, resulting in human/elephant conflict.

Minister Khama said, in a bid to minimise the conflict, the ministry had put in place strategic measures aimed at managing the elephant population.

The measures in place include; educational campaigns emphasising human/wildlife coexistence; proactive conflict prevention and mitigation measures such as electrified fences where possible; and the use of deterrents such as chilli pepper.

Another measure, he said, was problem animal control where elephants were actively scared away from high human areas. He further said, in addition, government paid monetary compensation to reduce the impacts of losses incurred due to certain species including elephants.

The minister however said, considering the importance of elephants to country’s economy and the level of damage, its compensation had been increased to 100 per cent of the replacement value.

The MP for Mmadinare, Mr Kefentse Mzwinila had asked the minister whether he was aware that elephant populations around Shashe and Motloutse Rivers near the border with Zimbabwe increased annually.

He had also wanted to know what measures would be taken to successfully manage the jumbo population to reduce confrontation with people and damage to property. ENDS