Botswana’s department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) has advised the public to seek help from wildlife officers when they are harassed by wild animals. The call follows the rising retaliatory shooting of wild animals.

“The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) wishes to express its concern on the increasing number of wildlife being shot in defence of property and livestock and/or being poisoned in retaliatory killings,” the department noted.

“The public is advised to seek assistance from the nearest Wildlife office when they are subject to harassment by wildlife such as elephants, hippo, buffalo, crocodiles, lions, leopards, wild dogs cheetah and hyenas.”

According to the department, where an animal is killed in defence of life or property, the onus is upon the individual who has done so to prove that the killing was done within the provisions of Section 46 and 47 of the Wildlife Conservation and National Parks Act.

“Anyone who is found to have not done so will be subject to the relevant provisions of the law.”

“The public is further informed that the Guidelines for Compensation for damage caused by specified species state that no compensation will be paid when the animal(s) involved is killed in defence of livestock or other property.”

Members of the public are advised to immediately call the following toll free number 0800-600-734 or report cases of damage by wildlife to their properties to the nearest Wildlife office for assistance.