Botswana vows to build capacity to counter wildlife poaching, trafficking

   GABORONE, Nov. 19  -- President Mokgweetsi Masisi said Monday Botswana will continue to build capacity to counter the growing threat of wildlife poaching and trafficking.
   A number of infrastructural developments and efforts are being put in place to ensure that the threat of wildlife poaching and trafficking is decisively dealt with, said Masisi when presenting the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Gaborone, Botswana's capital city.
   "As part of its efforts to build capacity to counter the growing threat of wildlife poaching and trafficking, the construction of the Kang anti-poaching and training facility is at 95 percent and will be complete before the end of 2019/20 financial year," said Masisi.
   In addition, Masisi said sniffer dogs to detect wildlife contraband at ports of entry and exit as well as identified smuggling routes have become a key component of the arsenal to combat wildlife crime.
   Masisi said efforts are being stepped up to improve public awareness in reducing human-wildlife conflicts and combating wildlife crime.
   In May this year, Botswana, home to an estimated 130,000 elephants, lifted the ban on elephant hunting after a five-year suspension, citing growing conflicts between humans and elephants. Xinhua