Natural Selection
A recent call to action from Botswana Predator Conservation (Wild Entrust) to conduct a de-snaring sweep, was in response to sightings of animals with snares in the Khwai Village and Mababe Village areas. A total of 6 wild dogs, 1 lioness, 3 hyena and 1 zebra had been reported as snared in the last few months. Although all of the animals (with the exception of 1 wild dog) were darted, snares removed and wounds treated - there was an urgent need to conduct a de-snaring sweep of the areas near the villages to ascertain the extent of the problem.
Snares are commonly used in developing countries (across Africa, South America and particularly Southeast Asia) as a means of acquiring “bushmeat” for human consumption. One of the many issues with snares, is that they are indiscriminate with many non-target species being caught. The species reported above are testament to this.
The de-snaring sweep was conducted over five days, between 27th June and the 1st July 2022, and was a joint operation with various government bodies and private entities (including Natural Selection and other tourism operators in the area). In total 108 snares were found.
Natural Selection supported this initiative financially as well as logistically from Khwai Private Reserve. Our concessions also play an important role in the protection that they afford a multitude of species - providing refuge for biodiversity, corridors for migration, buffers between wildlife and other land uses.
The swift support received for the de-snaring sweep, and the action taken from multiple stakeholders is a reminder that collectively we have an important role to play in protecting Africa’s wildlife and wild places. Collaboration is key!
Natural Selection Travel
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