09 Feb 2016

Efforts are underway to engage a new contractor to drill and equip a borehole near Dzibanana to reduce competition between livestock and wildlife for water in Sepako and surroundings.

Acting Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Mr Prince Maele said it was anticipated that the drilling and equipping would be completed by end of February 2016, adding that the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) was currently undertaking problem animal control and anti-poaching patrols in the Sepako area.

He said he was aware that wildlife poaching was a challenge which must be addressed with all the resources at their disposal.

To address this challenge, Mr Maele said, the ministry had made commendable efforts to resource and equip the anti-poaching unit of DWNP during the current financial year.

Additional resources, such as vehicles, aircraft and equipment, he said, would be required to improve the department’s ability to cover the vast areas under its jurisdiction.

He said the ministry would continue to engage other law enforcement agencies, including the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) to support the DWNP anti-poaching efforts through the implementation of the national anti-poaching strategy.

“We also have other law enforcement agencies based in the area since early 2015,” he added.

Nata/Gweta MP, Mr Polson Majaga.had asked the Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism if he was aware that there was an acute shortage of water for wildlife in the Sepako area (especially at Dzibanana).

He also wanted to know whether there were any plans to drill a borehole in the area to control the situation of dangerous animals loitering and terrorising people in the area, as well as destroying their properties. He also wanted to know if the minister would consider introducing patrols by members of the wildlife services and BDF as poaching activities were also on the increase in the area.  Ends