Anti-poaching units go hi-tech
Victor Muyakwabo | Friday January 31, 2014 17:11
Anti-poaching units go hi-tech
VICTOR MUYAKWABO
Staff Writer
B
otswana's anti-poaching units have introduced hi-tech equipment to enhance their battle against poachers.
Information reaching Mmegi is that anti-poaching units in the Chobe District have introduced Shot Spotter Flex system.
This kind of equipment is able to detect gunshots, even from silenced weapons.
Mmegi has learnt from sources that among the things the USA recommended were drones to be used for surveillance in the national parks, high quality night vision binoculars/ telescopes for ground patrol teams as well as the Shot Spotter Flex system.
According sources military patrol units in the national parks around the country faced challenges among them lack of up-to-date equipment and having to deal with poachers who have now turned to using silenced guns to avoid detection by security forces.
'Most of the times poachers prefer to use silenced fire arms because they have realised that units covered a wide range of the national parks, so with the shot spotter you can be alerted of any gunshot because the moderm has a sensor,' said the source.
The Botswana Defence Force (BDF) spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Oye, said that they could not disclose the details of the equipment as it could compromise their operations. He also said that they were strongly convinced that the use of this technology would add value to their efforts.
Oye said since poaching was a global phenomenon the challenges were quite numerous and included operational environment, terrain, weather and lack of cooperation by some members of the community.
He welcomed views on how to tackle the problem (poaching) from several partners including the United States.
This kind of equipment is able to detect gunshots, even from silenced weapons. Mmegi has learnt from sources that among the things the USA recommended were drones to be used for surveillance in the national parks, high quality night vision binoculars/ telescopes for ground patrol teams as well as the Shot Spotter Flex system.
According sources military patrol units in the national parks around the country faced challenges among them lack of up-to-date equipment and having to deal with poachers who have now turned to using silenced guns to avoid detection by security forces.'Most of the times poachers prefer to use silenced fire arms because they have realised that units covered a wide range of the national parks, so with the shot spotter you can be alerted of any gunshot because the moderm has a sensor,' said the source.
The Botswana Defence Force (BDF) spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Oye, said that they could not disclose the details of the equipment as it could compromise their operations. He also said that they were strongly convinced that the use of this technology would add value to their efforts.Oye said since poaching was a global phenomenon the challenges were quite numerous and included operational environment, terrain, weather and lack of cooperation by some members of the community.He welcomed views on how to tackle the problem (poaching) from several partners including the United States.