By Bisola Adeyemo
Botswana wildlife authorities denied the report against elephant poaching and threat, saying all rhinoceros remain under control.
Recall that an International Rhino Foundation who published its annual signature report last month said the rhino population faces a significant poaching threat in Botswana.
The southern African country has battled a rise in poaching, with more than 60 animals killed in the last two years.
Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Director Kabelo Senyatso said both rhinoceros and elephant poaching remain under control.
While addressing poaching concerns, in a statement released by Voice of America (VON), Senyatso said the government is committed to protecting the key species.
He added that, while isolated reports of poaching both the rhino and elephant continue to be reported, the government’s anti-poaching efforts are making progress.
But conservationist Neil Fitt said poaching incidents could have dropped due to the decrease in the number of rhinoceroses in the Okavango Delta.
“Rhino poaching could have subsided only because there is lot less numbers there,” Fitt said. “Elephant poaching is still happening, but we are getting very little reports because the government is not saying what is happening.”
Fitt said a multi-stakeholder approach to fighting poaching is key.
“The best that we can do is we all work together – the government, the private sector and NGOs. Sometimes you need to put your hand up and say we have got a problem, we need to solve it, and we need everyone to help, and we are open to all ideas, not just ideas that we like,” he said.
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