26 Jul 2018

The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) has recorded 30 incidents of poaching in Ngamiland District from June this year to date.

The DWNP director, Major General Otisitswe Tiroyamodimo revealed in an interview that this year, they had experienced an increase in cases as compared to last year.

He said the latest statistics reveal that poaching has increased extensively in the Okavango region, noting that most of species poached include elephants.

The director indicated that they had recorded incidents in areas such as Seronga, Gunutsoga, Gumare, Nokaneng, Gudigwa, while some were at Linyanti and Kwando in the Okavango Delta.

Major. Gen. Tiroyamodimo expressed concern that poachers had started poaching in both far settlements and areas like Komana, which is close to Maun, noting that recently they found an elephant carcass within the Maun area.

He said most of the incidents involved foreigners, while a few involved locals, adding that they had recorded a high number of incidents of possession of elephant tusks and trafficking through Maun/Nata and Nata/Kazungula routes, adding that it has been realised that there was a lucrative market in Zambia.

Major. Gen. Tiroyamodimo revealed that most of the poached species were elephants as opposed to rhinos, but stated that efforts were being made to address the situation through intensified patrols by law enforcement agencies and other departments. 

Efforts to combat poaching, he said needed concerted efforts of all stakeholders to protect the endangered species such as rhino and elephants.

Furthermore, he pointed out that they were working closely with their counterparts in countries like Zimbabwe in tracking poachers.

Meanwhile, the department has launched a physical training course for wildlife officers.

Maj. Gen. Tiroyamodimo explained that the training also aimed to promote teamwork and to teach officers safety rules and trust elements. 

He said initially, they depended on training obstacles from other law enforcement agencies and they found it fit to have their own, adding that some of the challenges they face during their anti-poaching patrols are unique.

“Some of the poachers do hide in islands while some stay in homesteads with screen walls because they know that we cannot cross and believe that we can improvise and use the skills we acquired here,” he added.

Furthermore, he indicated that the obstacles training also targets times in which poachers start poaching. 

Maj. Gen. Tiroyamodimo also noted the obstacles were open to the public, adding that wellness committees could use them to generate funds for charitable activities such as fitness challenges and family fun day activities. ENDS