The Sunday News
Rutendo Nyeve, Business Reporter
THE Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (Kaza TFCA) secretariat says there has been significant progress in preparation for the synchronised aerial survey of elephants.
The announcement comes at a time when the world commemorated the World Elephant Day last Thursday.
In a statement, KAZA secretariat said some of the key milestones achieved in preparation for the survey include the development of a standardized methodology consistent with the recently revised MIKE aerial survey standards (CITES MIKE 2020) and securing nearly 80 percent of the approximately US$3 million required for the exercise.
KAZA secretariat executive director Dr Nambe said the programme was key to ascertaining the real situation pertaining elephants in the area.
“As KAZA Secretariat, we appreciate the importance and magnitude of the survey. We are taking the necessary measures to ensure that there is effective co-ordination and management of the survey. The support being rendered by different stakeholders is encouraging and strengthens our confidence that the synchronized trans-boundary survey will be successful, on time, and within budget,” said Dr Nyambe.
Partner States are set to officially launch the survey during the fourth quarter of 2021 with the actual survey implementation scheduled for the dry season, July to October 2022.
The aerial survey aligns with and builds on Partner States’ recognition that connectivity across the broader KAZA landscape is essential for the future of the region’s wildlife, including elephants, and this should be underpinned by sound ecological understanding of wildlife movements and other dynamics.
The KAZA TFCA Secretariat was established in 2011 by the KAZA Partner States to manage the day-to-day operations of the TFCA.
It encompasses five countries Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Its overall mandate is to facilitate the development of KAZA TFCA into a world-class conservation area and premier tourism destination. This mandate is executed under the guidance of KAZA Partner States with support from development partners and a consortium of stakeholders. — @nyeve1
