The principal wildlife warden in Kasane, Thunya Sedodoma said that last year, plastics were found in the belly of a dead elephant. She added they have not managed to establish what killed a number of elephants because the carcases were too decomposed by the time they were found.

Sedodoma asserted that this year, they have recorded over 70 deaths of wildlife, all related to feeding at the dumping site.

She said it is common to see plastics in elephants' faeces and this means many of the beasts feast at the dumping site. The plastics are causing the elephants to defecate abnormally. Elephants are known to empty their bowls after a long time.

The Chobe District Council secretary, Isau Mbanga said shortage of land has forced them to continue using the dumping site. He said although the landfill is currently full, they have no choice but to dig another one nearby. "We have a serious land problem in the Chobe, unlike other district councils. We are building the second landfill at the same site because we are trying to minimise land use," he said.

Mbanga said they do not have the luxury of closing down a landfill and opening a temporary another while still waiting for the completion of a new one. "I have been involved in landfill projects before, in Ramotswa to be precise, but here, things have to continue as usual until the new landfill is ready," he said.

Mbanga added that as a result of their constraints, the wildlife continues to feed at the dumping site, which is not fenced. He said that the Chobe District Council does not have compactors to bury the rubbish, although he is hopeful that within a month or two they will have acquired the equipment.

He said he is aware of the wildlife that is feeding at the site, especially elephants. However, he has not been informed about the death of animals after eating plastics at the dumping site. "Certainly I am aware that elephants like going there on their way to the Chobe River and back, but no one has notified me about the wildlife deaths, so I cannot comment on the subject," he said.

He stated that the new dumping site will be fenced and electrified to keep the wildlife away. "It is as a result of the challenges we have had with the current situation. The fence will be electrified to drive the animals, especially elephants, from the dumping site," he said.