Africa-Press – Botswana. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has successfully driven out 22 elephants to the Tuli Reserve from communal areas in Bobirwa.
Environment and tourism minister, Ms Phildah Kereng revealed this when responding to a question in Parliament recently.
Ms Kereng said during the operation, a fixed wing aircraft to scout the elephant distribution and a helicopter to drive the elephants across the fence line was used and there was also a ground team to close the fence after the animals had crossed from the communal areas to Tuli Reserve.
She indicated that the operation was conducted over a period of four days from August 30 to September 2 last year. Ms Kereng said the ministry was only aware of three bull elephants still roaming on the communal areas as of March 12.
She said the three bull elephants were spotted in the Mathathane, Thune-Motlhabaneng and Makadibeng areas.
“Although, there has not been any crop damaged reported from these, they will be dealt with in a normal way of controlling problem animals,” she said.
On other issues, she indicated that the 38km-fence popularly known as Tuli backline Fence had been completed and electrified.
She said re-construction of the fence was completed on time in December last year.
Ms Kereng applauded the timely completion of the fence, saying that had greatly benefited farmers in the area as it contributed to low cases on human-elephant conflict incidences reported from December 31 last year to March 13 this year.
The minister further highlighted the importance of weekly routine patrols and maintenance missions by employees, saying such would ensure the effectiveness of their operations.
Bobonong MP, Mr Taolo Lucas had asked the minister to brief Parliament on the ongoing operations to drive elephants from the communal areas to the Tuli Reserve.
Mr Lucas also wanted to know the approximate number of elephants that had been drawn into the reserve and those that were still roaming in the communal areas.
He further wanted to know the timeline for completion of the project and how it would interfere with the ploughing season. ends
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