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Botswana Moves to Rearm Rangers as Rhino Poaching Intensifies

Mqondisi Dube

   GABARONE, BOTSWANA - Botswana has decided to re-arm its wildlife
   rangers as the southern African country battles increased cases of
   poaching. In the last six months, at least 17 poachers have been killed
   in gunfire exchanges with the army.

   The government had disarmed wildlife rangers in 2018, saying that under
   the law, only the military was allowed the use of firearms during
   anti-poaching patrols.

   With the country losing 56 rhinoceros to poachers in the last two
   years, the government is reconsidering that approach.

   Wildlife and Tourism Minister Philda Kereng recently told parliament
   the government is amending the law that prevented the rangers from
   carrying weapons.

   National Assembly legislator Kgoborego Nkawana introduced a debate in
   parliament over the need to re-arm the officers.'¯'¯'¯

   "This unit has for many years looked after the wildlife of Botswana and
   the endangered species, such as rhinos were properly looked after,
   adequately. Since the disarmament, the population has gone down, and
   the poaching, gone up," said Nkawana.'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯'¯

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