31 Jul 2024

Residents of Gumare in the Okavango District have called for culling of elephants to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.

Residents made the plea at a consultative meeting by Okavango Research Institute (ORI) held in Gumare recently.

ORI has been tasked by government to consult communities with heightened human-wildlife conflict in the country to guide in drawing a strategy to address the predicament.

Most Gumare residents suggested that culling of elephants should be carried out to control their population.

One resident, Mr Marametse Nchindo said elephants were the most problematic in their area as they destroyed fields and properties yet compensation was low.

He was of the view that a certain number of elephants should be killed to reduce their population and that compensation to farmers should be reviewed and include those crops that were not considered.

Another resident Ms Weke Lesotho also called for culling of some elephants to reduce their population. 

She also emphasised the need to strengthen buffalo fence that separated wild animals from domestic animals.

Mr Mosenodi Baagetswekae said elephants destroyed ploughing fields, injured and killed people.

He, therefore said Botswana should have a dialogue with neighbouring countries on how to control the elephant population.

Another resident Mr Osefelepelo Gaebolae said it was necessary for government to consider providing water for elephants as a deterrent.

He also said there was need to review compensation for farmers since the current rate was low.

He also suggested that the local technical college should offer tourism related programmes to empower youth in the area.

Earlier on, ORI acting Director, Professor Joseph Mbaiwa informed the residents that they were in a consultation mission with communities to establish areas with high human-wildlife conflict and the most problematic animals in those areas. 

Consultation also includes introspection of the existing compensation,  reflecting on the role of communities and stakeholders and on tourism value chain.

Prof Mbaiwa said the consultations would help government to develop a short and long term strategy to address human-wildlife conflict. Ends