WILDLIFE STATISTICS 2004 Published by Central Statistics Office Private Bag 0024, Gaborone Phone 3952200 Fax 3952201 E-mail:
[email protected] Contact Statistician: Sarah E. A. Kabaija Environment Statistics Unit Phone 3952200 Ext. 132 E-mail:
[email protected] Printed by and obtainable from: Department of Printing and Publishing Services Private Bag 0081, Gaborone Phone 3953202 Fax 3959392 January 2005 COPYRIGHT RESERVED Extracts may be published if source is duly acknowledged Preface Wildlife comprises all fauna (animal life) and flora (plant life) that are found in the wild. However, the term ‘wildlife’ is used in this statistical Report, to refer to that part of fauna that is found in the wild in Botswana and that comprises mammals and birds. Due to data limitations, the only population statistics provided on birds is on ostriches, although information is given on bird species that are protected and on those that may be legally hunted. Furthermore, statistics provided on mammals cover species of both herbivores and carnivores of various sizes. Additional information is provided on populations of the main six predators of Botswana and on Problem Animal Control (PAC) efforts. Predator populations are not accurately estimated in aerial surveys, hence the need for estimates based on other surveys. PAC efforts aim at the minimization of wildlife-human conflicts in order to ensure that the pursuit of human survival does not endanger the sustainability of wildlife populations. Information is provided on the percentage contribution of selected wildlife species to total animal biomass (measured in livestock units, LUs). The distribution of animal biomass is also presented in LU/km 2 units.