22 Aug 2018

Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) coordinator, Mr Timothy Blackbeard has appealed to the public to assist with information that can lead to the arrest of the killer of a white rhino in the Okavango Delta.

He made the plea in an interview, noting that there is a substantial amount reward for the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators. 

He said anyone with information could contact the nearest wildlife offices or the police.

This follows an incident in which a carcass of a white rhino was located in the lower reaches of the Okavango Delta last week Friday evening.

The carcass was discovered during a routine joint anti-poaching patrol by DWNP, Botswana Defence Force with assistance from non-governmental organisations.

It was reported that the horns of the animal were cruelly removed and taken away by the perpetrators.

Mr Blackbeard indicated that they suspect the incident was an opportunistic crime rather than organised, adding that they had engaged other investigation agencies from government departments such as Botswana Police and Intelligence Services.

However, he pointed out that poaching had increased drastically in the district, especially in the last three months, adding that elephants were the most poached species as opposed to rhinos.

With regard to rhinos, he said that was the second incident recorded as the first one was registered last year still in the delta.

Mr Blackbeard said the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, black rates blacdk rhinos as the number one among the endangered species seconded by white rhinos.  ENDS