Training law enforcement
For strong wildlife laws to be effective, they must be followed up with robust enforcement. In 2018, we brought together investigators, prosecutors, judicial officers, and customs officers to streamline the detection, investigation, and adjudication of wildlife crimes. The workshops helped trainees understand the country’s wildlife laws, overcome weaknesses in investigations and prosecutions, establish interagency collaborative frameworks, and ensure proper case management.
Sniffing out wildlife contraband
We work with Botswana’s Department of Wildlife and National Parks to support a canine detection-dog unit based in Gaborone. The unit deploys dog-and-handler teams to strategic airports, roads, and border crossings to stop the trafficking of illegal wildlife products through Botswana. In 2022, we equipped the team with two new Land Cruisers for patrolling.
Reason #70 to get involved
AWF protects nearly 40 % of Africa's elephants. Support our programs to stop elephant poaching and ivory trafficking.
Reason #71 to get involved
Critically endangered black rhino lost an estimated 97.6% of its population since 1960 with numbers bottoming out at 2,410 in 1995. When you support African Wildlife Foundation, you aid in the conservation and growth of endangered species like the rhino.
Reason #24 to get involved
The African wild dog population numbers less than 5,000 individuals and continues to decline due to habitat fragmentation, human conflict, and widespread disease. Your support allows for wild dog scouts to monitor and protect this species.
Botswana
Over half of Botswana is covered by the Kalahari Desert, yet it’s one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
The Republic of Botswana may be one of the world’s most sparsely populated countries, but it also happens to be one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. Over the years, it has transformed into a middle-income country with a competitive banking system and a growing mineral industry that accounts for about 40 percent of its GDP.