Here is a report from Chobe 911 that monitors incidents in Chobe. Poaching is alive and getting worse. I feel bad I am not there to treat the wounded elephants and snares. Its very sad they cant bring this under control
Author: enviro911
Dear All
Enviro911, despite the rather quiet feedback, has been quite active of late with a number of positive things to feed back to the... community. Before we get into that, we would just like to acknowledge Safari Guides and Services for their recent subscription payment – greatly appreciated.
Once again we appeal to everyone to contact the Enviro911 number should they have ANY information on any illegal environmental activities. Anonymity is assured and we will endeavour to get the correct government agency involved.
Now to the news…..
• After a long hiatus from cross border poaching, 11 poached elephant carcasses were discovered last week in the Nogaatsha area. The same MO was employed of covering the carcasses with branches before hacking out the tusks. Follow up operations are on-going.
• The last poaching incident dates back to the 4th February when BDF made contact with a group in the Nantanga area. One poacher was fatally wounded and 3 wounded poachers managed to escape…temporarily. Tusks, an AK47, a .375 rifle and ammo was recovered as well as the usual poaching paraphenalia. One of the wounded poachers was captured in Zimbabwe on the vic Falls road, whilst the other 2 wounded were arrested in Zambia. Their ability to flee so far before capture attests to the strength and stamina of these guys. This single BDF operation provided enough intelligence and ‘deterrent’ factor to quell all poaching activities for 6 months.
• Two weeks ago a contact between two Namibian poachers and BDF resulted in the death of both poachers. Two tusks were recovered as well as two firearms.
• Two Zimbabweans and two Batswana were arrested in Lesoma for bushmeat poaching. The main suspect, a Zimbabwean, who is alleged to be snare poaching over the border in Zimbabwe and transporting the meat into Botswana across the border for sale is still at large. A joint effort with the Zim authorities is in force and the Zim patrols have stepped up efforts; removing a lot of snares in the area alongside the Zim/Bots border.
• After collecting 16 snares along the riverfront within the Seboba area two weeks before, a young bushbuck was rescued from a snare by E911 and Caracal on Saturday. We are making a strong appeal to the community to be on the lookout for snares. There has been a DRAMATIC increase in this poaching practice in recent times. Apart from snares and dog hunting, reports of residents entering wildlife/birdlife areas with air rifles have been coming through. There is no reason to carry a rifle into these areas unless the intention is to shoot birds. Please report these as the police have promised to deal with the culprits accordingly.
• In general the reports of illegal bushmeat trading have reached an all time high. This is throughout the district but is particularly prevalent in the Enclave and Lesoma. The prevalence is so high that it is reported that individuals may place orders for bushmeat. This indicates a complete disregard for the law and a fearlessness of prosecution. If anyone has ANY substantive information on bushmeat trading, please contact us so that the authorities can be alerted.
• The illegal mining of river sand has continued unabated. The most severely affected area is between the seep and bridgetown – a traditional burial site under protection from the Botswana Museum. This last week two E911 members visited the site and there appears to have been an attempt made to rehabilitate the area. If this is a directive from the authorities to the principal perpetartor we are not sure. Please continue to report these incidences, particularly when a large commercial operator is involved.
• Five cattle were killed by lion inside their kraal in Lesoma. This is normally a precursor to a revenge poisoning rampage. As yet there have been no reported incidences, but the local farmer may be waiting to see the lion tracks in the area again. Please be alert and on the lookout for any suspicious behaviour or any suspect carcasses/meat that may be laced with poison.
• A poisoned zebra carcass at Kavimba claimed the lives of at least 10 vultures – it is unsure whether or not any mammal predators fed from the carcass.
• On the issue of poisoning….ivory poachers in the Kwando area laced an elephant carcass with an as yet unknown poison that claimed the lives of at least 200 vultures. The poison was quite pungent in odour and may be the reason why mammal predators did not apparently get affected – at least to our knowledge. Two weeks later another similar poisoning/poaching incident occurred in Namibia opposite the Kwando area. The poachers were ‘interrupted’ and absconded the area leaving their equipment. Suspicion is that it is the same perpetrators and the poison is used to prevent the vultures from attracting attention to the carcass.
• Another poisoing incident was reported from the Tuli region where two young cattle herders laced meat with ‘Temec’ poison that claimed the lives of the last remaining wild dogs in the area, a leopard and an African Hawk Eagle – at least these are the known mortalities. It is believed that the perpetrators are facing prosecution.
• PAC is a hot subject at the moment. E911 has fielded many calls about gunshots and pyrotechnics in Kazungula and Plateau particularly. The current laws and regulations allows for local residents to call on PAC (DWNP) to chase wildlife that is in (or near) residential areas. E911 is looking at ways to increase resident tolerance to wildlife that is not threatening or damaging property, and in providing suggestions for new regulations. In the interim E911 is unable to intervene in ‘legitimate’ PAC practices. Two PAC elephant fatalities happened recently. One elephant was shot inside the (broken down) fence of the immigration facility at the road border. The carcass was eventually dragged away but not after a number of tourists were welcomed to Botswana with the sight of an elephant being butchered for segwapa . A second elephant was shot outside Tshenyo’s farm (protected by a good electric fence) by the propetier. E911 is awaiting feedback from DWNP as to the legitimacy of this shooting under the Section 46 regulation. Further reports coming through is that segwapa from this carcass was being sold in Kazungula Newstands – the sale of any elephant product is strictly illegal.
• A young waterbuck was injured by a vehicle near the quarry boundary to the CNP. Caracal are housing the animal at the Biodiversity centre until it is fully recuperated and can be successfully relocated.
• The young sable bull that was being held temporarily at the Biodiversity centre to desensitise it to humans was removed and relocated to the Nogaatsha area by DWNP. It has every chance of survival in this area that is well stocked with Sable.
Enviro911 was started as an initiative to act as the eyes and ears of the authorities to illegal environmental practices; making their job of enforcing laws and protecting our ‘investment’ that much easier. It was never the intention of E911 to be anything more. However the lack of resolution to so many repititive reports has prompted E911 to be more proactive. The consequnce of this is that we have been in communication with the Honourable Minister for Environment, Wildlife and Tourism and have his pledge of support. The upshot being that we are able to present our community’s problems directly to his office and get almost immediate reaction. We held a meeting with the community and government agencies to analyse the district’s environmental concerns and look at possible solutions. These were presented to the Permanent Secretary of MEWT (and are attached here) in a table format.
E911 is also currently trying to formulate a high level 2 day conference for late in the year. The conference’s main objective will be to formulate a WORKING vision for the Chobe District. This vision has to incorporate and balance the economy, environment and community for the long-term future of the Districts environmental resources to serve the community and business sector in a sustainable way. Watch this space for more details.
That’s it for this report. Be alert and do not hesitate to call our hotline – Enviro911 is making a difference and it is thanks to the information that we are gleaning from you. Please keep it up!
Dear All
Enviro911, despite the rather quiet feedback, has been quite active of late with a number of positive things to feed back to the... community. Before we get into that, we would just like to acknowledge Safari Guides and Services for their recent subscription payment – greatly appreciated.
Once again we appeal to everyone to contact the Enviro911 number should they have ANY information on any illegal environmental activities. Anonymity is assured and we will endeavour to get the correct government agency involved.
Now to the news…..
• After a long hiatus from cross border poaching, 11 poached elephant carcasses were discovered last week in the Nogaatsha area. The same MO was employed of covering the carcasses with branches before hacking out the tusks. Follow up operations are on-going.
• The last poaching incident dates back to the 4th February when BDF made contact with a group in the Nantanga area. One poacher was fatally wounded and 3 wounded poachers managed to escape…temporarily. Tusks, an AK47, a .375 rifle and ammo was recovered as well as the usual poaching paraphenalia. One of the wounded poachers was captured in Zimbabwe on the vic Falls road, whilst the other 2 wounded were arrested in Zambia. Their ability to flee so far before capture attests to the strength and stamina of these guys. This single BDF operation provided enough intelligence and ‘deterrent’ factor to quell all poaching activities for 6 months.
• Two weeks ago a contact between two Namibian poachers and BDF resulted in the death of both poachers. Two tusks were recovered as well as two firearms.
• Two Zimbabweans and two Batswana were arrested in Lesoma for bushmeat poaching. The main suspect, a Zimbabwean, who is alleged to be snare poaching over the border in Zimbabwe and transporting the meat into Botswana across the border for sale is still at large. A joint effort with the Zim authorities is in force and the Zim patrols have stepped up efforts; removing a lot of snares in the area alongside the Zim/Bots border.
• After collecting 16 snares along the riverfront within the Seboba area two weeks before, a young bushbuck was rescued from a snare by E911 and Caracal on Saturday. We are making a strong appeal to the community to be on the lookout for snares. There has been a DRAMATIC increase in this poaching practice in recent times. Apart from snares and dog hunting, reports of residents entering wildlife/birdlife areas with air rifles have been coming through. There is no reason to carry a rifle into these areas unless the intention is to shoot birds. Please report these as the police have promised to deal with the culprits accordingly.
• In general the reports of illegal bushmeat trading have reached an all time high. This is throughout the district but is particularly prevalent in the Enclave and Lesoma. The prevalence is so high that it is reported that individuals may place orders for bushmeat. This indicates a complete disregard for the law and a fearlessness of prosecution. If anyone has ANY substantive information on bushmeat trading, please contact us so that the authorities can be alerted.
• The illegal mining of river sand has continued unabated. The most severely affected area is between the seep and bridgetown – a traditional burial site under protection from the Botswana Museum. This last week two E911 members visited the site and there appears to have been an attempt made to rehabilitate the area. If this is a directive from the authorities to the principal perpetartor we are not sure. Please continue to report these incidences, particularly when a large commercial operator is involved.
• Five cattle were killed by lion inside their kraal in Lesoma. This is normally a precursor to a revenge poisoning rampage. As yet there have been no reported incidences, but the local farmer may be waiting to see the lion tracks in the area again. Please be alert and on the lookout for any suspicious behaviour or any suspect carcasses/meat that may be laced with poison.
• A poisoned zebra carcass at Kavimba claimed the lives of at least 10 vultures – it is unsure whether or not any mammal predators fed from the carcass.
• On the issue of poisoning….ivory poachers in the Kwando area laced an elephant carcass with an as yet unknown poison that claimed the lives of at least 200 vultures. The poison was quite pungent in odour and may be the reason why mammal predators did not apparently get affected – at least to our knowledge. Two weeks later another similar poisoning/poaching incident occurred in Namibia opposite the Kwando area. The poachers were ‘interrupted’ and absconded the area leaving their equipment. Suspicion is that it is the same perpetrators and the poison is used to prevent the vultures from attracting attention to the carcass.
• Another poisoing incident was reported from the Tuli region where two young cattle herders laced meat with ‘Temec’ poison that claimed the lives of the last remaining wild dogs in the area, a leopard and an African Hawk Eagle – at least these are the known mortalities. It is believed that the perpetrators are facing prosecution.
• PAC is a hot subject at the moment. E911 has fielded many calls about gunshots and pyrotechnics in Kazungula and Plateau particularly. The current laws and regulations allows for local residents to call on PAC (DWNP) to chase wildlife that is in (or near) residential areas. E911 is looking at ways to increase resident tolerance to wildlife that is not threatening or damaging property, and in providing suggestions for new regulations. In the interim E911 is unable to intervene in ‘legitimate’ PAC practices. Two PAC elephant fatalities happened recently. One elephant was shot inside the (broken down) fence of the immigration facility at the road border. The carcass was eventually dragged away but not after a number of tourists were welcomed to Botswana with the sight of an elephant being butchered for segwapa . A second elephant was shot outside Tshenyo’s farm (protected by a good electric fence) by the propetier. E911 is awaiting feedback from DWNP as to the legitimacy of this shooting under the Section 46 regulation. Further reports coming through is that segwapa from this carcass was being sold in Kazungula Newstands – the sale of any elephant product is strictly illegal.
• A young waterbuck was injured by a vehicle near the quarry boundary to the CNP. Caracal are housing the animal at the Biodiversity centre until it is fully recuperated and can be successfully relocated.
• The young sable bull that was being held temporarily at the Biodiversity centre to desensitise it to humans was removed and relocated to the Nogaatsha area by DWNP. It has every chance of survival in this area that is well stocked with Sable.
Enviro911 was started as an initiative to act as the eyes and ears of the authorities to illegal environmental practices; making their job of enforcing laws and protecting our ‘investment’ that much easier. It was never the intention of E911 to be anything more. However the lack of resolution to so many repititive reports has prompted E911 to be more proactive. The consequnce of this is that we have been in communication with the Honourable Minister for Environment, Wildlife and Tourism and have his pledge of support. The upshot being that we are able to present our community’s problems directly to his office and get almost immediate reaction. We held a meeting with the community and government agencies to analyse the district’s environmental concerns and look at possible solutions. These were presented to the Permanent Secretary of MEWT (and are attached here) in a table format.
E911 is also currently trying to formulate a high level 2 day conference for late in the year. The conference’s main objective will be to formulate a WORKING vision for the Chobe District. This vision has to incorporate and balance the economy, environment and community for the long-term future of the Districts environmental resources to serve the community and business sector in a sustainable way. Watch this space for more details.
That’s it for this report. Be alert and do not hesitate to call our hotline – Enviro911 is making a difference and it is thanks to the information that we are gleaning from you. Please keep it up!
