This was said in a joint press statement by BWMA Secretary, Debbie Peake, a trophy dealer with Mochaba Development, and the University of Botswana’sOkavango Research Institute (ORI). The statement disclosed that the information collected over a period of 15 years, will be transferred to ORI. The statement further said the information collected includes quotas, concession locations, and trophy measurements as well as biological specimens, which form an important piece of the knowledge legacy of sustainable and legal hunting in Botswana. BWMA is working with ORI library’s special collections unit to catalogue and transfer the materials and data to ORI’s library collections in Maun, and to a widely accessible online database, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility. The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) is providing guidance and advice to the project.
Peake said: “Our research results, records of wildlife sightings, and the biological data about herbivores and carnivores, can be put to use by scientists to better understand our animal populations, and by government to make sure wildlife continues to be managed well.” She further reiterated the Association’s strong feeling that the knowledge accumulated through the industry’s work in Botswana should support ongoing economic development of tourism in the country.”
