Elephant Deaths: CITES Permits Delay Testing

Dr Wave Kashweeka next to an elephant carcass PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES
Dr Wave Kashweeka next to an elephant carcass PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES

SERONGA: The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) permits have been blamed for the delay in sending elephant diagnostic samples to foreign laboratories.

The diagnosis of the cause of the unusual mass elephant deaths in the Eastern Okavango Panhandle is still unknown since the tragedy was discovered in April 2020.

The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism (MENT) has so far verified 275 elephants against the 356 carcasses reported by Elephants Without Borders (EWB).

Editor's Comment
Botswana at a critical juncture

While the political shift brings hope for change, it also places immense pressure on the new administration to deliver on its election promises in the face of serious economic challenges.On another level, newly appointed Finance Minister Ndaba Gaolathe’s grim assessment of the country’s finances adds urgency to the moment. The budget deficit, expected to be P8.7 billion, is now anticipated to be even higher due to underperforming diamond...

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