28 Jun 2015

Chobe District council chairman, Mr Mwanota Kachana, says cross border poaching remains a major concern in the district.

Addressing the ongoing full council, Mr Kachana ,said the cross border poaching was not abating though law enforcement agencies in Botswana made concerted efforts.

The continuous problem of poaching, he said, was serious since it has potential to cause depletion of wildlife and therefore negatively affect tourism industry.

He also said there was a concern of incidents of people using poisoned carcasses in the park to bait predators. The practice, he said, was uncalled for and had the potential to kill non targeted species.

He cited a recent incident which involved the poisonous carcass of a zebra which was found covered with branches and led to the death of about 15 vultures and three kites.

Furthermore, Mr Kachana said human wildlife conflict was rife in the Chobe District. He said currently the Department of Wildlife and National Parks had received about 128 reports on incidents which included damage to property, human threat or injury by wildlife.

He said about 98 farmers were assessed and compensated for damaged property at an amount of P3 553 911. Mr Kachana explained that two Batswana men were unfortunately killed by elephants in the district recently which happened in the outskirts of Kazungula village.

It was on that backdrop, he said, that the department advised the community to avoid walking in unoccupied areas. Ends