15 Jun 2023

Kgosi Gaolatlhe Kgosigaenyatswe of Nxaraga in the Ngamiland District has appealed to government to equip boreholes surrounding Nxaraga channel to save stranded hippos that are exposed to heat at Nxaraga Hippo Pool due to the drying of the Thamalakane River.

The boreholes were drilled by Save Wildlife Conservation Fund Botswana in collaboration with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks in 2019 to pump water into the Nxaraga pond to mitigate the drought impact caused by the drying of the river and other water sources in the district.

He revealed in an interview that the drying of the river had forced some hippos from Nxaichai pool to relocate to Nxaraga pool leading to overpopulation and competition for space and meagre resource with livestock and other wildlife species.

Some, he said, ended up dying because they were struggling to cool themselves due to less water in the pool while others died from territorial fights. 

“The current situation is worrisome and needs urgent attention as it seems the spell that befell us in 2019 is recurring, where we experienced a severe drought due to the drying up of water sources that left many communities, livestock and wildlife in a desperate situation,” he added.

Kgosi Kgosigaenyatswe said Nxaraga pool had become a haven for all types of animals that flocked the area for the remaining little water. 

He feared that the pool could dry up anytime and leave hippos trapped in the mud. 

He appreciated that in 2019, some individuals and companies made efforts to feed and water hippos and wished they could also extend a helping hand to save the species, which he said had the potential to turn Nxaraga into a tourism destination.

“We wish the boreholes can be connected to pump water into the hippo pool as we await the arrival of the annual inflows. 

Reports have indicated that the inflow had reached the heart of Okavango Delta on its way to Maun,” he added. 

He anticipated that the water may arrive next month and fill up water sources so that hippos could return to their original ponds.

He also decried rising incidents of stock theft in his jurisdiction, adding that crime was committed by local youth as many of them were unemployed and idle. 

Most culprits, he said, stole livestock during the day to slaughter them in the bush at night in the outskirt of the village. 

Recently, he said they discovered eight heads of cattle, skins and hooves in the said spot.

The chief expressed concern that lack of transport at the kgotla frustrated village leadership and police efforts to curb crime, saying that police officers could not work efficiently because there was no vehicle. 

He said they had to follow criminals on foot and called on government to assist them with transport so that their efforts to combat crime bore fruit.

“These people are stealing our livestock at an alarming rate and on the other hand, some residents are exacerbating the crime by withdrawing cases instead of allowing the law to take its course,” he added. ends