Wild animals migrate to South Africa
30 August, 2007

TSHABONG - A massive migration is taking place in the Kgalagadi South area as wild animals migrate to South Africa due to the gripping drought in Botswana.

Mrs Onalenna Kgathi, district wildlife coordinator, said in an interview that besides losing animals to South Africa, some were dying as a result of the drought.

The animals cross to South Africa drawn by the moist air following late rains in April, she said. Mrs Kgathi said the massive migration similar to this one, happened in 1985.

She lamented that once the animals crossed into South Africa, they would not return. In South Africa, once an animal enters a farm or ranch,she said, the property owner could claim ownership.

Thus, most farmers along the border could take advantage of the migration and lure the animals into their property.

If it does not rain soon, she said more animals would be lost. We are waiting patiently for the rainfall so that the animals could recover and return to the wildlife management areas, she said.

As if migration across the border was not enough, she said, some animals have moved closer to villages in search of water, which has led to increased poaching.

To curb poaching, Mrs Kgathi said her department has intensified patrols along the border with the assistance of the Botswana Police Service and Botswana Defence Force -- as well as joint border patrols with the South African police.

However, all efforts would amount to nothing if the Kgalagadi South community was not willing to work hand in hand with authorities.

Mrs Kgathi urged the community to cooperate and report any suspicious activity. Kgosi Piet Manyoro of Khawa, one of the villages in the district, said residents were apprehensive about driving or scaring wild animals back into the wildlife management areas because they could be accussed of poaching.

He said unless the wildlife department came up with a strategy to guide the community to participate in the exercise, the residents would not offer much help. BOPA

Those South African farms bordering Botswana ought to put their fences down for a while. . . .