One of the more interesting conservation projects here in Southern Africa is the dramatic attempt to save the remaining rhinos. Poaching continues to be a major factor in their decline with Arab, Chinese, and other Asian cultures placing a high medicinal value on the rhino horn.
Botswana has a “shoot to kill” policy for dealing with poachers. They don’t have to stop and ask any questions. They have completely banned the hunting of any kind except for the taking of small game by the San.
We asked our guides along the way their opinion of the new policy. While it is viewed positively, for the most part, it was and continues to be quite controversial. There was strong lobbying to continue to allow the San to take large game. In the end, the government ruled that the San are Batswana too and must abide by the same laws.
In five years’ time, they will take stock of current populations to consider the continuation of the ban.
Botswana is also moving the remaining rhino populations to areas further into the interior of the country away from the border countries where poaching remains high. Each rhino is tagged and monitored with high-tech surveillance equipment, including drones.
We never did see a rhino here – but, that is okay. Knowing that they are here somewhere deep in Botswana is enough.
