e-newsletter NOVEMBER 2018

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1 Tel: Fax: e-newsletter NOVEMBER 2018 The Kalahari In this issue: Empowering local people to conserve Botswana s key flamingo breeding site AWF urges the D.C. Council to enact a proposed bill seeking to stop trade in ivory and rhino horn KCS hosts a seminar in Maun KCS participates at this year s National Tree Planting Day

2 Empowering local people to conserve Botswana s key flamingo breeding site Makgadikgadi Salt pans as seen from Lekhubu Island Motshereganyi Kootsositse, BirdLife Botswana Makgadikgadi wetland in Botswana is the most important breeding site for Flamingos in southern Africa. But human activity is damaging this vital ecosystem. A multi-tiered project implemented by BirdLife Botswana has helped to protect the integrity of this wetland. The Makgadikgadi salt pan complex in northeast Botswana is one of Africa s largest ephemeral wetlands, covering 12,000km2 of land in the middle of the Kalahari Desert. During rainy seasons, its extensive pans are often filled with water from rivers such as the Nata, Boteti and Mosetse. This wetland is an invaluable asset to both birds and people. It contains the most important site in southern Africa for the Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor (Near Threatened) and Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus, which are both on a decline in the region, and is a habitat for several more threatened migratory bird species. It is also a vital source of water and other natural resources for local communities. For these reasons, in 2001, Makgadikgadi was identified as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA). This decision also benefits the Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus and regionally threatened raptors such as Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus (Near Threatened), White headed Vulture Trigonoceps occipitalis (Critically Endangered), Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus (Vulnerable) and the Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax (Vulnerable), which forage over the area. Non-bird species including the Blue Wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus and the lion Panthera leo are also found in the area. People living in the Makgadikgadi region use its expansive land for a range of livelihood activities such as tourism and farming - both livestock and arable. Unfortunately overgrazing, pollution and disturbance from local tourism and domestic activities are having an adverse effect on biodiversity, soil fertility and the quality of water in the wetland. The prevalent land and livestock management processes in the vast ecosystem are likely to compromise the continued flow of ecosystem goods and services from the savannah, which are necessary to sustain the national economy, livelihoods and the rich fauna and flora diversity. BirdLife Botswana is helping to mitigate these issues and protect the natural resources of Makgadikgadi. With funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), BirdLife Botswana formulated a multi-tiered approach to deal with the interconnected set of challenges in the area. A 3-year project known as Using Sustainable Land Management to improve the integrity of the Makgadikgadi ecosystem and to secure the livelihoods of rangeland-dependent communities, was implemented from 2014 to It was implemented in partnership with key stakeholders including the local government. This project focused on solving issues related to the unsustainable use of land in four pilot villages in the greater Makgadikgadi region. The villages are Mosu, Mmatshumo, Mokubilo and Mmea. The selected villages surround the Southern part of the Sua pan in the Makgadikgadi where key flamingo species breed.

3 There are so many myths about the rhino horn which have escalated the poaching these animals The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) urges the D.C. Council to enact a proposed bill seeking to stop trade in ivory and rhino horn. The Council is currently considering a draft Elephant Ivory and Rhinoceros Horn Trafficking Prohibition bill that will outlaw the importation, sale, purchase, barter or possession with intent to sell ivory and rhino horn products. This comes barely a year after a study by the National Geographic described Washington D.C. as the new hub for ivory trade. AWF Chief Scientist and VP of Species Protection, Dr. Philip Muruthi termed the move timely, saying the long-term survival of the elephant and rhino is in question across Africa. He attributed this to soaring demand for wildlife products that is emptying forests Stop trade in ivory and rhino horn and savannahs of key species elephants, rhinos, and the big cats among other signature wildlife. Dr. Muruthi said passing the law would send a clear message that the District will not tolerate trade in wildlife products that threatens Africa s wildlife. The availability of ivory in stores acquired from naturally deceased elephants or from confiscated ivory has direct linkages to growing demand, thus enabling the illegal trade in wildlife products. The African elephant is important as a cultural and political symbol in many African countries and plays a critical role in the ecosystem as a keystone species and in the economy as a tourist attraction. It must be protected, he said. An estimated 96 African elephants are killed every day by poachers for their ivory. This translates to an elephant being killed every 15 minutes. The Great Elephant Census released in September 2016 revealed a 30 percent decline in Africa s savanna elephant population between 2007 and Poaching was identified as the predominant cause of this dramatic loss. Additionally, more than 20 tons of poached elephant ivory, prized as white gold in parts of Asia and China, as well as the United States, was seized globally in If we do not stop the demand for ivory, we will witness the extinction of elephants in a few decades. The announcement by D.C. Council is a good gesture to ending illegal wildlife trade and protecting these iconic species, and we urge other online ivory retailers to follow suit, said Dr. Muruthi. AWF urges the D.C Council and the larger Washington jurisdiction to ban ivory and rhino horn trade and pushes those with ivory stockpiles and antiques to destroy them as a message to the market that there is no future in ivory trade. Stockpiles of ivory from elephants in Zimbabwe Conservation Action

4 LIVING WITH SNAKES IN MAUN Capture the best place to conserve snakes and help the people from being bitten by snakes in Botswana. Onkemetse Joseph giving welcome note to Maun residents Kalahari Conservation Society (KCS) in collaboration with the Save Wildlife Conservation Fund convened at Nhabe Museum in Maun on the 23 rd November 2018 to address the people living in Maun and the surroundings about the importance of living with snakes. Snakes may be keystone predators, especially in agricultural and grassland ecosystems, because they are effective predators of rodents. Indeed, snakes are likely to help regulate food webs in important ways that other predators cannot. The Maun Snake Handler, Mr. Dick George said snakes are also excellent ecological indicators due to their sensitivity to temperature and climate change. Individuals attempting to kill snakes are more likely to be bitten. Therefore, understanding causes of snake-human conflicts is essential. He talked about his experience in snake handling and that he would like to make Maun Snake The seminar had an impressive attendance of over 50 people. KCS had extended their invitation to Okavango Research Institute s (ORI) Mr. Kaelo Makati who shared with attendants about understanding the life of a snake. He talked about venomous snakebite and its effects. Mr. Makati noted that snakes are a source of fear for people. As a result, people have developed a negative attitude towards snakes which can lead to humansnake conflicts that result in the killing of snakes. Attempting to kill snakes increases the risk of snakebites and actual killing of snakes contributes to loss of biodiversity. Currently, snake populations in Maun are thought to be declining, but more research is needed to evaluate the conservation status of snakes. The results of this study have the potential to promote Mr. Kabelo Makati from ORI addressing the attendants about snakes Attendants listening attentively at the seminar. biodiversity conservation and increase human health in Botswana and beyond. There are natural or home remedies and snake repellents to get rid of snakes according to Mr. Makati. He mentioned clearing bushes in the yard, removing heaps of rocks, lumber and other debris from your yards. Covering up holes and cracks caused by rodent burrows are some of the remedies one could apply. The society needs to be taught about snakes. Educational efforts focused on natural history and ecology of snakes and prevention of snakebites should be undertaken in communities and at schools. The seminar marked an end to the KCS 2018 series of seminars. KCS hopes to continue its effort to bring topical issues to the people through seminars and public talks in 2019.

5 KCS attends the National Tree Planting Day Every year, National Tree Planting is commemorated on the 24th. This year however, it was celebrated on the 20th of November at Artesia village under the theme FORESTS AND WATER: SUSTAINING LIVES AND LIVELIHOODS. The keynote speaker was Kgosi Bana Sekai Linchwe. In his keynote address, Kgosi said that conserving trees is essential as they give us life. Over 30 trees were planted throughout Artesia. Some were planted at the Kgotla, some at the clinic, some at the Landboard offices. The tree of the year is CELTIS AFRICANA, locally known as MODUTU. Kalahari Conservation Society (KCS) was amongst the organisations that were exhibiting. The KCS stall received great reviews from the dignitaries and public at large. Other organisations present were Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP), Department of Tourism.