22 Apr 2026

The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) in Hukuntsi is concerned with the surge in poaching incidents, warning that illegal hunting particularly of cloven-hoofed animals poses a significant threat to ongoing efforts to contain the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

Principal wildlife officer, Kealeboga Komanyane, called on members of the public to adhere to the suspension and regulations governing the hunting of cloven-hoofed animals.

The directive follows the declaration of FMD outbreak in Zone 11, by the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture.

Mr Komanyane told BOPA that despite these restrictions, poaching continued to persist in the district.

He warned that such illegal activities not only threatened wildlife populations but also risked undermining national disease containment efforts.

Recent incidents highlight the severity of the situation and Mr Komanyane revealed that authorities recently apprehended suspects found in possession of game meat from eight gemsbok and one kudu.

The confiscated meat was subsequently destroyed as a precautionary measure to prevent any potential spread of infection the disease.

While emphasising that poaching is a criminal offence, Mr Komanyane stressed that it was even more dangerous during a disease outbreak.

“We are concerned about the number of wildlife being poached, particularly in large quantities. This not only threatens wildlife populations in our management areas but also increases the risk of disease transmission,” he said.

Mr Komanyane said statistics indicated a worrying shift in poaching patterns from, subsistence hunting to more organised, commercial operations.

He said the plan was to close all gaps to ensure zero poaching and that no game meat was harvested and distributed within and beyond local communities.

Infected meat if not addressed could accelerate the spread of FMD across regions, Mr Komanyane said and warned the public to refrain from transporting or trading in game meat during this critical period.

He said, the suspension of hunting, implemented just a week before the start of the hunting season, had far-reaching socio-economic implications.

Mr Komanyane noted that the directive affected several wildlife management areas in the district, including KD1, KD2, KD6, and KD12, where communities had already been allocated hunting quotas.

“The halt in hunting activities is expected to delay the season and disrupt administrative processes such as licensing,” he explained.

“It also impacts local livelihoods, as community trusts typically benefit from partnerships with safari operators who purchase quotas and provide game meat as part of social support initiatives,” Mr Komanyane added.

As a result, many communities that depend on these arrangements are facing temporary setbacks.

“The delay means communities will not benefit as they usually would during the hunting season,” he said and explained that not all wildlife species were affected by the outbreak.

Predators such as lions and leopards remain unaffected, while hunting of species such as impala and other antelopes will only resume once the suspension is lifted and it is deemed safe to do so.

In addition to halting hunting activities, the DWNP has also suspended related operations, including game capture, translocation, and culling for commercial meat supply.

Mr Komanyane noted that game ranchers and community trusts had been directed to comply fully with these measures.

“We have advised trusts and game ranchers to halt culling operations and so far, there have been no reported violations,” said Mr Komanyane.

He further noted that licensed butcheries dealing in game meat were under strict surveillance, to ensure compliance, with no major challenges reported to date.

“In our effort to strengthen enforcement, the department has intensified operations across key areas such as Kang, Ukhwi, Phuduhudu, and Hukuntsi. Measures include increased patrols and random stop-and-search operations aimed at curbing illegal hunting and the movement of game meat,” he said.

Mr Komanyane emphasised that these interventions were crucial not only for protecting wildlife populations but also for safeguarding the broader agricultural sector, which remained vulnerable to the spread of foot-and-mouth disease.

He cautioned that continued poaching could derail government efforts to diversify the economy of the Kgalagadi District toward photographic and non-consumptive tourism.

“Reducing wildlife numbers will ultimately affect future hunting quotas and defeat broader conservation and tourism objectives,” he warned.

Authorities have since reiterated calls for public cooperation, stressing that adherence to regulations is essential to preserving the country’s wildlife heritage and preventing further spread of the disease. ENDS