10 Jul 2021

Tuli Conservation Trust (TCT) has donated camping equipment worth P256 000 to Department of Wildlife National Parks (DWNP) to help the latter in protection and preservation of flora and fauna.

When handing over the 40 director camp chairs, 40 mattresses, 40 tents, 40 sleeping bags and 12 rechargeable spotlights, TCT representative, Mr Francois du Toit said the equipment would assist wildlife officers ‘to better deal with human-wildlife conflict in remote areas.

Mr du Toit explained that the grant, phase one of which was a provision of camping equipment to wildlife officers, consisted of three legs at a total of P381 400.

On the second leg, Mr du Toit said TCT would construct barriers to safeguard two water points and equipment used for watering livestock.

Upon completion of phase two, TCT will then host educational problem animal control workshops when gatherings could be safely allowed in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.

In doing so, he said TCT sought to fully support the national vision of the Botswana government’s global conservation strategy as indicated in its mission strategy.

TCT was established in Botswana  in 1993 by Northern Tuli Game Reserve Land Owners Association, who funded the three legged donation.

“The efforts of TCT are evident in the grant that was made towards the Botswana National Museum to fully assess the archaeological remains of Motlhabaneng village as well as erecting the new backline fence to assist in curbing human-wildlife conflict and making agricultural areas safer,” said Mr du Toit about their contributions towards communities in the area.

When receiving the donation, director of DWNP, Dr Kabelo Senyatso said the equipment would help officers to discharge their duties expeditiously.

He said it was difficult for officers to carry out thier duties with limited camping resources at their disposal, hence a move to seek assistance from TCT.

Dr Senyatso  promised the Mathathane community that with the DWNP concerted efforts the community would start living happily with wild animals in the next two years.

Although he conceded that elephants were a nagging problem, especially when they encroached into human spaces, Dr Senyatso cleared that the jumbo animals also presented economic opportunities to the communities.

Resultantly, he informed attendants of the donation event that the department would engage communities in addressing such pertinent matters as poaching. The observation, according to the director, had been that the task of anti-poaching had been the preserve of law enforcement agencies alone. Ends