06 Nov 2022

And Beyond tourism company has donated multi-purpose drone equipment worth over P200 000 to the department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) in Maun to tackle wildlife crime-related activities.

Speaking during the handover ceremony of the equipment, the director of DWNP, Dr Kabelo Senyatso appreciated the donation, saying it would indeed increase their capabilities towards wildlife management.

He said the department was doing a lot to tackle wildlife crime, citing the law enforcement agencies which were working at a full speed to combat rhino poaching.

He, thus, warned poachers, noting that the law enforcement agencies had moved to the digital space as they were not only using the drone, but other smart technologies including facial recognition, number plate identification and other tools deployed to make it easier to arrest poachers.

The donation, he said, was also ideal towards realisation of President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s Reset Agenda, which encouraged departments and organisations to move into the virtual space.  

“This is where technology like this comes in handy and we really appreciate it as it will increase our capabilities,” he added.

Dr Senyatso further noted that efforts had been made to roll out internet connectivity within all protected areas not only to enhance the staff welfare, but to support the law enforcement endeavours towards combating wildlife crime.

He also mentioned that the department was a step ahead in the implementation of the Reset Agenda priority areas such as digitisation and mindset change, which applied to individual, departmental and institutional levels.

In their case, he said they had were fostering inter-agency collaboration, where they worked together, particularly with the police, Botswana Defence Force and other intelligence agencies.

“There is a collective force that is addressing whatever transgression comes and we are also using a number of instruments including the National Anti-Poaching Strategy,” said Dr Senyatso.

To achieve the mindset change, he said they needed to be guided by some documents and for poaching, he cited the finalisation of Rhino Management Plan, which they trust to launch before the end of this financial year as well as the National Anti-Poaching Strategy which articulates their aspirations on tackling wildlife crime.

 For his part, And Beyond managing director, Mr Janson King said, “We saw it fit to support the anti-poaching unit with smart technology to advance the efforts of those on the ground as they are working under difficult conditions.

We are hopeful that this drone initiative will make a huge difference in their operation as they will be motivated to combat poaching,” he added.

He stressed the importance of wildlife conservation, hence his company’s efforts to educate communities on how they could live in harmony with different wildlife species and benefit from biodiversity. ENDS