Analysis of Select Wildlife Cases in Botswana

Book excerpt: The world is in the midst of a poaching and illegal wildlife trade (IWT) crisis which threatens survival of many species. Poaching and IWT involves a wide range of species and has been estimated by different sources to be worth USD 7–23 Billion annually. Poaching and associated IWT are devastating populations of iconic wildlife species such as rhinos and elephants, as well as a host of lesser known ones. Botswana has enhanced its law enforcement efforts to combat poaching and IWT. The key enforcement institution is the DWNP which works closely with the Botswana Police Service (BPS) and the Botswana Defence Force (BDF). According to the DWNP, illegal off‐take has not yet become a serious threat to wildlife populations in Botswana. Statistics show that even though poaching might have led to a decline in the population of some wildlife species, some species like the elephant and the rhino have not recorded any decline. The elephant population in Botswana is estimated at approximately 200,000 which is quite impressive. Rhinos in Botswana are also experiencing an increase in numbers. The population of the southern white rhino has increased from a count of 26 in 2005 to 153 in 2014. The most targeted species for poaching and IWT in Botswana is the elephant and therefore the major focus of Botswana’s efforts to combat wildlife crime is on elephants. The year 2012 recorded the highest poaching numbers of wildlife in Botswana. The number of elephants poached rose from 22 in 2009 to 163 in 2012 and then dropped to only 4 in 2013. The number of lions poached remained very low although there was a rise from 0 in 2009 to 3 in 2013. No white rhino was poached from 2009 to 2012 and only one was poached in 2013.