28 Jun 2021

The maintenance of the buffalo fence at Boro 2, in the Okavango Delta, will reduce incidents of wild animals encroachment into human settlements, Elephant Protection Society (EPS) Chairperson, Mr Oarabile Nawa has said.

Mr Nawa was speaking during the official launch of the buffalo fence maintenance project at Boro 2 recently. 

The project is a partnership between Elephant Protection Society  and Savanna Sky Safaris, the project main sponsors, who donated P55 000.

He said the project would not only help in reducing human wildlife conflict, but also in reducing the spread of Foot and Mouth disease.

He said Boro community farmers would reap benefits from the fence hence urged them to protect it.

Mr Nawa appreciated Savanna Sky Safaris for the donation, saying it was proof that the company cared about the livelihoods of the community.

The Assistant District Commissioner of Maun Administration Authority (MAA), Ms Amantle Mosweu urged the residents to take care of the fence, for it to benefit them.

Ms Mosweu said government was facing financial constraints during these trying COVID-19 times, therefore it was a good effort by Elephant Protection Society and Savanna Sky Safaris to unite and come up with something that would benefit the community.

For his part, Kgosi Motswagole Mokgwathi of Boro said his community had been struggling due to wild animals, such as elephants, coming into human settlements to damage their crops, saying the maintenance of the fence could enable them to plant crops without any hesitation.

The Director of Savanna Sky Safaris, Mr Richard Peake said the project was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility, adding that they appreciated members of the community as they a had a role in the company’s development.

One Boro residents, Mr Thuso Kesotlegile expressed gratitude, saying they would now start living without fear of wild animals coming into their settlements. Ends