Addressing the researchers on Tuesday, Koboto said cases of researchers violating their licences and privileges in the Delta, Chobe and the Makgadikgadi Pans were increasing. Some of the researchers allegedly abuse their research privileges by engaging in illegal tourism operations. He said there had been instances where some of the researchers charged tourists to view some animals during their research. There are also concerns that a lot of research only takes place in the Delta and Chobe while other sites such as the Kalahari Transfrontier Park are never researched.It was revealed during the meeting that soon the researchers would have to sign memorandums of agreement and be expected to file progress reports with the wildlife department.
Deputy director of the wildlife department, Dr Cyril Taolo, concurred that a lot of conducted research rarely gets publicised. He also complained about the limited number of citizens showing willingness to undertake wildlife research.For their part the researchers brought to the attention of government the potential of research tourism as a niche market. Dr Weldon Mcnutt of Botswana Predator Conservation Trust said research was emerging as a form of participatory tourism niche where clients pay money to witness the wildlife research processes. He said authorities must licence this form of tourism. However, Koboto said under existing tourism laws wildlife research cannot be licenced as a tourism business.
Other researchers also opined that commercialising research might jeopardise the findings. Meanwhile, a wildlife research symposium to be attended by leading researchers is billed for Maun in February next year.
