The flooding Okavango Delta. By Mphoeng
Category: Uncategorized | Date: May 05 2009 | By: elephantsofbotswana
This year the flood water is so high that it has restricted researchers in their quest to find elephants. Most of the crossings have very deep water which is difficult for vehicles to cross. Although elephants are terrestrial animals the researchers now are using a boat to do the surveys. Vehicles can only cover small areas.
Boat used as a mode of transport to look for elephants
The flood water is one of the highest that has been experienced in years. Every now and then after a span of time highest floods are experienced. Globally we are in the era of climate change industrialised countries producing some harmful gases into the environment this having affected the developing countries like Botswana. Drought that has adverse impact on communities floods in some countries that impact negatively in the livelihoods of communities.
However the flood water in Botswana which is a semi-desert brings life sustain the communities residing in close proximity to the Delta. Botswana and Batswana as a whole have derived benefits being in the form of revenues from the Delta that had seen Batswana being able to go to schools, universities.
The Flood waters
The Delta means a lot to us as a country. Botswana now has a logo that we identify our country with; it reads as follows, Opportunity and tranquillity beckons.
Calmness could be felt in Okavango Delta the sounds of wilderness, birds, frogs etc.
The slogan is mainly based on opportunities that Delta provides for tourism, the calmness that Okavango Delta provides, and the business opportunities that Botswana provides.
As Batswana we believe that we have to set goals for our selves and the country support every aspect being environmental sustainability and we believe that education is an empowerment.
We have seven visions that we embrace
1. A Prosperous, Productive and Innovative Nation
2. A Compassionate, Just and Caring Nation
3. A Safe and Secure Nation
4. An Open, Democratic and Accountable Nation
5. A Moral and Tolerant Nation
6. An educated and informed nation
7. A united and proud nation
Okavango Delta, organisms from smallest to biggest organisms like elephant needs consorted efforts as it is clear education is key. People who clearly comprehend how wild species benefit them directly and indirectly revenues from photographic tourism providing free education t o Batswana kids. Non Governmental Organisation like Elephants For Africa which provides education for communities which is an outreach programme. Education has an ability to change perspectives of communities and is in line with the vision of the country. Organisations as Elephants for Africa will play a pivotal role in achieving these goals. Reaching the goals needs to be concerted efforts of private, government, communities and organisation that are owned by government and private sector working together.
Tags: botswana, elephants, flood. delta
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Hi, I am Kate Evans, or more commonly known as Elephant Kate. I am a zoologist whose great love is elephants. Since 2002 I have been living my dream by researching elephants in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. I decided I was going to be an elephant researcher when I was seven. I was living in Asia at the time and visited the elephant orphanage in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It was there that I made up my mind I was going to work for these majestic and intelligent animals. I made a promise to an elephant and we all know an elephant never forgets!!!! It took me 20 years to finally realise my dream and start my life as an elephant researcher. It was 20 years well spent and now I have to pinch myself most days to make sure it is true and I am living my dream.
I now head up a team who are researching the elephants and trying to work out the social and ecological needs of the largest remaining population of the African elephant. From time to time, other team members will add their thoughts and experiences. I love sharing my experiences - so I hope that this blog is a medium through which you will be able to join the elephants and I on our adventures in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. -
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