The Anti Poaching unit will beef up security to curb the escalating poaching of elephants in the Chobe area.
Senior Wildlife Officer in Kasane, Dr Gaseitsiwe Masunga, told The Telegraph that the unit’s operations will be beefed up by introducing foot and air patrols, and roping in the Directorate on Intelligence and Security to assist.
“We are very worried about the increasing instances of elephant poaching in the area. We will not intensify patrols, but rather introduce air and foot patrols, together with intelligence services, as supplementary operations to curb poaching in the area,” said Dr. Masunga.
Frank Limbo, Trust Manager of Chobe Enclave Conservation Trust, said they are also worried about the increasing incidents of elephant poaching. He said the trust regularly holds kgotla meetings in the area to brief residents to be very vigilant and assist the state’s anti poaching initiatives.
Detective Superintendent Peloentle Morolong of the Diamond and Narcotics Squad said 16 elephants were poached and their tusks removed between April and July this year.
“But we have not made any breakthrough in our investigations. However, we strongly suspect that the poachers are a syndicate of Batswana and Zambians nationals,” he said.
