Maun — Botswana, like the rest of the world, is taking steps to fight against poaching of endangered species. This came to light recently at Nhabe Museum in Maun as multitudes of people gathered to take part in the Global March for elephants, rhinos and lions.
The event organiser, Ms Jen Weimann said the march, which was also staged in over 165 cities globally, was a demonstration of their support for the fight against illegal wildlife trade.
She noted that thousands of people around the world were marching to raise public awareness of the plight of wildlife, and to help ensure that the livelihoods of people relying on wildlife tourism would be secured.
Ms Weimann also noted that an elephant was killed every 15 minutes and a rhino every eight hours for their ivory. She said it was imperative to join forces with the rest of the world and demonstrate against poaching before the endangered species become extinct.
She said Africa had over 200 000 lions 50 years ago while today less than 23 000 roam freely in Africa.
Ms Weimann decried the tendency of some quarters of society who kept lions in captivity for purposes of tourism and as pets only to shoot them as adults for trophy hunters.
Ms Weimann warned that if the current trend of poaching continues, there would be no viable populations of many species left in Africa.
She said when that happens the world losses, adding that wildlife tourism in Africa would be a thing of the past, and that whilst small pockets of wilderness may still exist, the genetic variance vital to the long-term survival of the animals would be damaged beyond repair.
An official from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP), Mr Amos Ramokate said such demonstrations were important as they bring people together and in the process sensitise them about matters relating to environmental conservation.
Mr Ramokate said his department was committed to ensuring that their conservation efforts and ideals were achieved through stakeholder partnership and linkages for the benefit of sustainable conservation and prudent management of the fish and wildlife resources in the country.
He said the theme: March against extinction, was appropriate as the issue of illegal trading in wildlife and their products was a concern since the wildlife population was steadily declining.
http://allafrica.com/stories/
Botswana: Multitudes March Against Illegal Wildlife Trade
By Edith Sebati, Daily News
October 13, 2015
Maun — Botswana, like the rest of the world, is taking steps to fight against poaching of endangered species. This came to light recently at Nhabe Museum in Maun as multitudes of people gathered to take part in the Global March for elephants, rhinos and lions.
The event organiser, Ms Jen Weimann said the march, which was also staged in over 165 cities globally, was a demonstration of their support for the fight against illegal wildlife trade.
She noted that thousands of people around the world were marching to raise public awareness of the plight of wildlife, and to help ensure that the livelihoods of people relying on wildlife tourism would be secured.
Ms Weimann also noted that an elephant was killed every 15 minutes and a rhino every eight hours for their ivory. She said it was imperative to join forces with the rest of the world and demonstrate against poaching before the endangered species become extinct.
She said Africa had over 200 000 lions 50 years ago while today less than 23 000 roam freely in Africa.
Ms Weimann decried the tendency of some quarters of society who kept lions in captivity for purposes of tourism and as pets only to shoot them as adults for trophy hunters.
Ms Weimann warned that if the current trend of poaching continues, there would be no viable populations of many species left in Africa.
She said when that happens the world losses, adding that wildlife tourism in Africa would be a thing of the past, and that whilst small pockets of wilderness may still exist, the genetic variance vital to the long-term survival of the animals would be damaged beyond repair.
An official from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP), Mr Amos Ramokate said such demonstrations were important as they bring people together and in the process sensitise them about matters relating to environmental conservation.
Mr Ramokate said his department was committed to ensuring that their conservation efforts and ideals were achieved through stakeholder partnership and linkages for the benefit of sustainable conservation and prudent management of the fish and wildlife resources in the country.
He said the theme: March against extinction, was appropriate as the issue of illegal trading in wildlife and their products was a concern since the wildlife population was steadily declining.