_______________________________________________________________________________ STATUS OF WILDLIFE POPULATIONS AND LAND DEGRADATION IN BOTSWANA’S FOREST RESERVES AND CHOBE DISTRICT Michael Chase Elephants Without Borders PO Box 682 Kasane Tel: ++267 6250505 Email:
[email protected] April 2013 STATUS OF WILDLIFE POPULATIONS AND LAND DEGRADATION IN BOTSWANA’S FOREST RESERVES AND CHOBE DISTRICT Michael Chase 1,2 April 2013 1 Elephants Without Borders, P.O. Box 682, Kasane, Botswana, and 2 San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, 15600 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA 92027-7000, U.S.A. Forest Conservation Botswana Elephants Without Borders Zoological Society of San Diego This survey was conducted jointly by Elephants Without Borders, Forest Conservation Botswana and, the Zoological Society of San Diego. The opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Forest Conservation Botswana, the Zoological Society of San Diego or any of the donors who have helped fund this aerial survey. No part of this report may be reproduced without the prior written permission of the author and copyright owner(s). ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This wildlife aerial survey of the Chobe District was flown by Elephants Without Borders, and largely funded through a grant from Forest Conservation Botswana (FCB 000018). Additional funding was received from Zoological Society of San Diego, Botswana Wildlife Management Association, Mr. Brett Warren and Family, Mutual and Federal Insurance Botswana and Madeleine and Jerry Delman Cohen. I appreciate the assistance provided by Mr. E.B. Moabi, and Ms. M. Bolele from the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism. DWNP personnel, Dr. Cyril Taolo, Fredrick Dipotso and Chobe National Park officers and wildlife scouts are recognized for their help.