09 Mar 2022

The newly launched Okavango Human Wildlife Foundation is planning a fundraising activity to support victims of human/wildlife conflict. 

The foundation was launched in Maun last May, to reduce the negative impact of human/wildlife conflict. 

The foundation is also aimed at encouraging active community participation in wildlife conservation; implementing a compensation programme for those injured by wild animals; reducing retaliatory killings of animals by people sharing experiences to improve lives. 

The chairperson of the foundation, Mr Gakemotho Satau confirmed in an interview that plans were underway to host a fundraising dinner on May 7 to support human/wildlife conflict victims. 

He said lack of funds was a serious challenge to drive some of their objectives, adding they currently could not secure sponsors, due to the effects of COVID-19. 

Mr Satau revealed that they had been assisting victims through volunteerism, as some were wounded by animals and could no longer earn a living. 

So far, he said they had assisted some victims in Shakawe, Maun and Boro with food hampers, courtesy of Chobe 4x4 Company. 

He revealed that two of the victims were girls from Shakawe who were attacked by a hippo along the Okavango River, with one sustaining a pelvic injury, while the other’s lost a leg. The other victim, he said lost her arm to a crocodile attack in Maun, along the Thamalakane River. 

He appealed to corporate organisations and the public at large to come on board and support the foundation, noting that the victims were faced with a number of challenges. 

He said some were breadwinners in their families and were now struggling financially. 

Mr Satau regretted the government could not compensate the victims and yet some were struggling to take care of their children, while some even lacked proper shelters. 

“Our aim is to help them to start income generating projects so that they can earn a living. We wish we could also help prosthetic limbs to victims,” he added. Meanwhile, human/wildlife conflict remains a major challenge in Ngamiland with more deaths and injuries caused by elephants and buffalo. 

“These animals are the main threat to arable and pastoral agriculture,” he said, but regretted the government appeared reluctant to compensate victims. 

Further, he said, they had been campaigning for the government to provide comprehensive therapeutic rehabilitation as well as reconstructive surgery to victims. BOPA