20 Jun 2017

In a move to increase the uptake of the Botswana Animal Information and Traceability System (BAITS) in the Ngamiland region, the Department of Veterinary Services has combined the exercise with the annual Foot Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination.

Briefing the Maun Administration Authority (MAA) councillors, Dr Wave Kasweka of veterinary services said the combined exercise had so far resulted in positive results with vaccination uptake at 68 per cent while the BAITS ear tags uptake was 55 percent in the ongoing exercise.

Dr Kasweka however noted that the ear tags uptake lagged behind since in some cases the cattle owners were absent hence BAITS was not conducted unlike FMD vaccination.

He said the department was also challenged by lack of resources such as vehicles.

Dr Kasweka noted that the department had also introduced another method of trenches to manage movement of elephants with a few kilometers already drilled.

He also said the Department of Veterinary Services will implement a doubled buffalo fence to mitigate movement of elephants as a strategy against FMD, the Maun Administration Authority (MAA) has learnt.

Dr Kasweka said the move was meant to strengthen areas where elephant destruction was high.

He said the double fence was able to withstand elephant movement.

In his comment, Semboyo/Makakung Councillor Mr Gaokgakala Letswee commended the combination of ear tagging and vaccination exercises which he said would help address the concerns of ear tags lagging behind.

Mababe/Khwai Councillor Mr Kebareeditse Ntsogotho said double fencing was not a permanent solution to elephant destruction.

He said the heightened elephant destruction was an aftermath of the hunting ban.    

Boyeyi councillor Mr Ntlogelang Kebonyekgotla said the Ngamiland authority should be proactive instead of reactive.

Mr Kebonyekgotla said government should bring appropriate measures to fight against FMD which had weakened the agriculture industry in the region. BOPA