21 Jun 2020

The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism has undertaken an operation to dehorn black and white rhinos in the country in an effort to combat poaching.

Briefing the media June 19, the acting director at the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Dr Cyril Taolo explained that the decision to dehorn rhinos was influenced by an increase in poaching around the Okavango Delta.

Dr Taolo said it was necessary to undertake the operation as a matter of urgency to protect both the black and white rhinos, adding that so far 58 rhinos had been killed by poachers in the said area.

He explained that in March a team of wildlife officers was dispatched to the delta to undertake dehorning rhinos. He said the operation was challenging as they had to track down the endangered species in the bush.

He noted that at least 100 rhinos have had their horns removed, assuring the nation that the horns had been taken to a protected area in Gaborone for safe keeping.

In addition, he assured the nation that the department would continue to work closely with law enforcement agents to fight rhino poaching.

Commenting on recent elephant fatalities in the Seronga, Eretsha and Lekunutu areas, principal veterinary officer, Dr Mmadi Reuben said the cause of the deaths was still unknown.

He noted that samples had been taken to a laboratory for further analysis to establish the root cause of the mysterious deaths.

However, Dr Reuben said the possibility of poisoning could not be ruled out, indicating that testing poison was difficult as it entailed many factors. Ends