Poaching uptick threatens tourism earnings � Khama

Mpho Mokwape | Wednesday June 25, 2014 06:59

 

Addressing Botswana Defence Force officer cadets during their commissioning parade yesterday at Sir Seretse Khama Barracks, Khama said poaching networks work tirelessly to ensure that borders do not interfere with their illegal activities.

He said this resulted in the mass crossing of illegally obtained animals and their products to other countries for illicit trade.

“Wildlife poaching and cross-border crimes are a major problem and of prime concern to the country and its economy, as they force the tourism sector to became unsustainable, putting the country’s survival at risk,” he said.

Khama added that it was important for BDF trainees to receive lessons and adequate upskilling in anti-poaching, in order for them to squash the threat of poaching.

“I am glad to have been told that the syllabus you learnt had lessons on anti-poaching operations which are aimed at capacitating you with the skills to deal with this threat,” he said.

Khama said it was critical for the graduating trainees to acquire the right anti-poaching skills and mental readiness, as they will be expected to lead operations in cooperation with neighbouring countries.

“The military training the trainees have undergone in the past year was meant to prepare all of them to be mentally and physically fit in order to be ready for the task ahead,” said Khama.

He stressed that military training by nature requires a high level of dedication, discipline and perseverance and added that today, the threats countries face are no longer of the conventional military type, but are, rather, volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous.

“An understanding of the new threats is key and this cannot be over emphasized in safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity,” Khama said.