22 Mar 2021

 #People, Wildlife and Environment, an initiative by Miss Earth Botswana 2020, on Saturday treated Bana Ba Letsatsi to a tour of Elephant Heavens.

 The aim was to teach the children, who are from disadvantaged  backgrounds, about conservation and the environment in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.

  Elephant Heavens is an elephant orphanage located in the outskirts of Maun. 

The centre rescues young elephant orphans, and has become a leading voice in wildlife conservation and protection.

 Bana Ba Letsati beneficiaries are vulnerable children from Maun communities cared for by the organisation. They are also rehabilitated by the centre before being sent back to schools. 

Speaking in an interview after the tour, Ms Seneo Perry, Miss Earth Botswana 2020, said she was passionate about children, wildlife and conservation. 

She said her love for children prompted the tour, and that she wanted to teach them about the environment, wildlife and conservation 

Ms Perry stated that she could relate to Bana Ba Letsatsi because she was also deprived of certain things in her childhood.  

“I found it fit to dedicate my time to educate them about wildlife and conserving the environment. I hoped taking them to the elephant centre would soothe their souls, expose them to a different environment as well as learn and appreciate the beauty of the Okavango Delta,” she said.

She added that it was important to teach children about the tourism industry and sharing with them knowledge on conservation. 

She spoke about the negative effects of COVID-19 on the sector, saying it was important to support the sector during hard times. 

The 25-year-old beautiful conservationist from Lesenapole noted that it was not the first time she assisted children.

She noted that she had in the past helped the Tlokweng SOS to build a garden and plant vegetables and trees through her Restoring the prime colour of the Earth initiative. 

Co-founder of Elephant Heavens, Mr Boago Poloko shared the process of rescuing and handling young elephants until they adapted to the new environment. 

He said they were usually physically and emotionally fragile when rescued, adding that they bottle fed them. Once stable, he said they were re-introduced to the jungle. 

The centre currently has six young elephants. Mmamotse, the first to be saved in 2018, has become the foster parent to the young ones. 

She communicates and calms new arrivals as well as aggressive ones.

 “When we have a problem with new arrivals, Mmamotse steps in to calm them until they cooperate with the handlers,” he said. 

Bana Ba Letsatsi social worker, Mr Eric Sipho said the tour was an amazing experience for the children and gave them hope. 

 

He also said it gave them ideas on what they could do for the children in future. ENDS