Pursuing the wildlife

The veterinarian fences, also called cattle fences, go thousands of kilometers through all of Botswana. They should prevent contact between wild animals and livestock, and with that the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. Whether this disease is transferred from wild to farm animals is actually still controversial, but it is sure that the fences have  controlled the spread of the disease between the animals.

The breakup of the zebras

Scorching in this midday sun the snow-white salt pans shine in the “Makgadikgadi Pans” national park.  With its only lifeline the Boteti river provides for a fascinating natural spectacle that happens here. The Zebra migration of the Makgadikgadi Pans - a miracle in the wilderness. This annual migration of zebra and gnu on the Serengeti is the second largest migration of land mammals in the world. But fences become insurmountable barriers for the vast herds.  More

Fences – Borders of the wilderness?

Seeing numerous holes and depressions along the fences clearly show they do not stop some animals in crossing these borders. They pass through the fences ignoring the boundaries set by humans and conflict arises. It is unclear how the fences have affected the lives of the animals or if there is any psychological impact the barriers have had on them. Kristina Kesch a biology doctoral candidate at the University of Hamburg wants to better understand these questions and with support from SAVE she hopes to develop more appropriate solutions. More

SAVE’s methodology for protecting wildlife

• Population counts: assessment of the number of animals  in the Makgadikgadi
• Field & Behavioral research: focusing on behavior of the grazing zebra herds
• Laboratory studies: collection of grass and fecal samples for further analysis
• Continuation of the tracking and monitoring of the holes along the fences (observing how animals pass the borders,  and observing/monitoring of the newly built fences at the Khutse Game Reserve and Central Kalahari Game Reserve)
• Field study: To investigate the effect of veterinary fences on the human-predator conflict
• Educational work: Working out solutions to the human/predator conflict by interviewing local farmers and peoples near troubled areas including the Boteti, Support for an open dialogue with local communities focusing on education and Capacity Development.

SAVE needs your donations for

• Technical equipment: Radio collars, radio equipment, GPS equipment, field glasses, computers (hardware & software)
• Communications: Satellite telephone and radio equipment, Internet
• Use of leading field researchers, experienced assistants, and local trackers Veterinary care of animals, anesthetics
• Laboratory testing of fecal samples
• Educational materials, such as Flyers, information brochures, for the farmers etc.