- donates another critical conservation and monitoring equipment
Tourism operator, &Beyond in partnership with Wild Impact donated critical conservation and monitoring equipment to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) reaffirming their commitment to collaboration aimed at safeguarding natural wealth for generations to come.
The equipment valued at over P600 000 includes high tech items such as drones, trail cameras and tablets among others. This is not the first donation &Beyond and its non-profit partner made to DWNP, as in 2023, they handed over another critical monitoring and patrol equipment worth over P500 000. The first drone the department had was also donated by &Beyond.
“We believe this equipment will enhance efficient monitoring and management-not only of rhinos but also of other important wildlife species,”said Skipper Mareja, Wild Impact’s Regional Manager.
Mareja said the donation is a powerful testament to what public-private partnerships can achieve in protecting remaining landscapes and natural resources.
&Beyond’s Field Operations Manager, Dux Mareja also assured of their commitment to supporting the department in all matters related to endangered species protection, anti-poaching initiatives, and wildlife monitoring. “We stand ready to assist wherever possible to strengthen the country’s efforts in combating illegal activities that threaten our natural heritage.”
DWNP’s Chief Law Enforcement Officer, Adrian Kholi appreciated the company for its continued support in helping the department combat prevalent poaching incidents in Ngamiland. He said these are the kind of partnerships that the department needs, not only in fighting wildlife crime but also in other areas that talks to wildlife management as well.
Kholi noted that wildlife management is an extremely expensive area that runs into millions of Pula and that without some assistance from partners involved in the tourism space government cannot do it alone.
“Combating wildlife crime is one task that requires massive resources because we are dealing with organised crime, people who hide their activities very well. So, we need to be actually ahead of them at all the time and that requires essential equipment sometimes so expensive that we cannot afford under normal budgeting.”
He noted that Ngamiland, a hotspot of poaching, is one of the areas where the terrain is extremely challenging and as a department, they do not have enough personnel, hence the need for innovative technology.
Alongside the equipment donation, &Beyond and Wild Impact also funded training for 16 wildlife officers enabling them to undertake a week-long first aide course and the beneficiaries received their certificates of completion on Tuesday.
