Botswana records loss of over 11 rhinos by poachers in less than a year

A new report claims that poachers have killed over 11 rhinos in Botswana’s safe reserves in less than 11 months since 2018.

According to the report, the endangered rhinoceroses killed in the last 11 months were part were moved from South Africa to a wilderness in Botswana so that they would be safe from poachers. But the Weekend Post newspaper revealed that the number of rhinos killed by poachers has been rising in the last 11 months.

Two carcasses were discovered on Mombo Island in the Okavango Delta between January 14 and 15, 2019, bringing the total to 11 rhinos killed after the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP)’s decision to withdraw the arms of war from its Anti-Poaching Unit. The department explained that the decision was necessitated by the fact that the continued use of such guns was not provided for in the law, as reported by The Southern Times.

As part of its efforts to prevent poaching of endangered animals such as rhinos, the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) utilizes a system known as the rhino safe track system. According to the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, the rhino safe track system is constantly being maintained but could not divulge any more information on the matter.

The commercial poachers target rhinoceros for its horn that (illegally) sells for tens of thousands of dollars in the underground illegal wildlife markets. It has much demand in Asia where the horn is pulverised for utilization in dubious medicines or fashioned into ornaments and objects.