05 Jul 2020

Wildebeests culling operation is underway in the plains of Maratadima near Sekhutlane as one way to address conflict between humans and wildlife.

Speaking in an interview on July 4 in the prairies of Maratadima, senior wildlife officer, Ms Ineeleng Collyer said the culling exercise was in the second phase and part of a bigger spectrum in ensuring that wildebeests did not come into contact with cattle.

The Department of Wildlife and National Parks’ move to cull the animals follows farmers’ pleas, whose cattle recently died from Malignant Catarrhal Fever (MCF), which is by the wildebeests.

Ms Collyer shared that the operation came after the translocation of wildebeests that were roaming Gasita/Lerolwane farming areas, of which more than 900 had been translocated thus far; 29 to Khutse Game Reserve and the remaining to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.

MCF is not curable, hence the only efficient control measure is to avert interaction between wildebeests and the cattle.

Ms Collyer said the operation comprised of a team of experts in wildlife and two from the Department of Veterinary Services.

She said the Department of Wildlife and National Parks had killed 47 wildebeests thus far, whose meat was auctioned to the villages in the periphery of Maratadima prairies after it was inspected to ensure it was safe for human consumption.

Ms Collyer said the operation was scheduled to cull 150 wildebeests after heeding advise from veterinarians.

She said the success of the operation would mean chances of the disease recurring were low.

The animals, she said, were captured at Mononofela ranch, which is a privately owned property and ferried to the slaughtering structure about 120km away.

She said the operation, which started with informing the village leadership, was progressing well.

The meat will be auctioned to nearby villages of Sekhutlane, Mabule, Tshidilamolomo, Mmakgori, Gasita, Lorolwane, Metlobo, Tsoaneng, Lepurung and Dikhukhung. ENDS