Botswana’s ecotourism company to preserve cross border wildlife corridors
Gaborone, Botswana (PANA) - Botswana’s ecotourism company, Wilderness Safaris, said here Friday it was committed to promoting sustainable ecotourism initiatives in Botswana’s Linyanti to protect vital wildlife corridors that transcend country borders along the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA).
“With the Linyanti situated at the fulcrum of the KAZA TFCA, we have always understood the part that we play in the preservation of this pristine wilderness area.
“Having the world’s largest elephant meta-herd and many other species passing through seasonally requires sensitive conservation initiatives that will contribute to the sustainability of wildlife as well as the area itself,” said Kim Nixon, Wilderness Safaris Botswana managing director.
Nixon said Linyanti, located between the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park, was not only an important corridor for the successful migration of large numbers of wildlife, but was also home to lesser-known species such as the wild dog, sable and roan antelope.
Linyanti has also been internationally recognised as an important bird sanctuary, given its outstanding diversity of bird species, particularly in summer when the migrant species return and breeding plumage is on show.
As part of the company’s reaffirmation of its commitment, Wilderness Safaris will open King’s Pool Camp in mid-June 2019.
“At King’s Pool, biodiversity conservation has remained the core of our purpose since we opened in 1995,” said Nixon.
The company’s deep commitment to conservation has motivated the implementation of a tree nursery and a tree-wrapping project at the camp, where the latter aims to protect some of the big trees within the concession by wrapping their trunks in wire mesh, which discourages elephants from debarking them with their tusks.
“In addition, a salvinia weevil breeding programme is being introduced in order to help control the alien invasive weed, salvinia molesta, found in the waterways,” said Nixon.
He said guests would also be able to help plant trees and make a meaningful contribution to the restoration of the area.
Botswana has recently been under attack following its decision to lift a hunting ban, amid indication that the country will practice monitored hunting.
-0- PANA DRW/RA 31May2019
