Conservation Genomics & Biomonitoring Workshop_ Botswana 2024 ( ConGenBW24)

ConGenBW24 will be an introductory course that will teach students various ways in which genetics can be used to inform wildlife and biodiversity conservation. It will delve into the methodologies (study design, genetic sample collection, DNA extraction PCR, eDNA, population genetics, molecular ecology, and genomics toolkit), interpretation, and practical applications of genetic analyses in the conservation and biomonitoring of wildlife and threatened species. The course is targeted at undergraduate, graduate, and professionals with a background in biology/ecology, who are actively working on (or studying) conservation and wildlife related topics in Botswana and more broadly, Southern Africa. The course is taught by Dr. Pooja Singh and Dr. Tamara Schenekar who are experts in applying genetics tools to study biodiversity in Europe & Africa. The course will be held at the Okavango Research Institute (ORI) in Maun.

 
Participation requirements: The course will accommodate 16 students and will be limited to citizens or residents from Botswana, Angola, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa due to travel funding limitations.

Application: This course is free and includes accommodation, meals, and course-related transportation (rules apply).

For more information: https://poojasinghevogen.weebly.com/teaching.html   

 

Deadline to apply is 15th of July 2024

A review and SWOC analysis of natural heritage tourism in sub-Saharan Africa

 By Chiedza N. Mutanga, Oluwatoyin D. Kolawole, Reniko Gondo & Joseph E. Mbaiwa

The article examines the condition of tourism centered around natural heritage in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and evaluates its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges (SWOC) in a corresponding manner. Data was gathered from secondary sources, and an inductive qualitative approach was employed for analysis. The results of the study indicate that a significant portion of the weaknesses in SSA pertains to financial limitation. The primary challenges affecting the sustainability of natural heritage encompass political instability, climate change, wildlife crime, and changes in land use. The paper concludes that while the region has several strengths and opportunities, there also exist several weaknesses and challenges, which negatively impact the sustainability of both the natural heritage legacy and tourism. 

Read more: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1743873X.2023.2255689

ORI Library Celebrates Valentine's Day

 

 The ORI Library staff members hosted a special welcome session during valentines day. The event featured a motivational talk by Mrs Makoba, who provided insights on the importance of love.

The library will continually engage in activities that promotes knowledge dissemination and community awareness through 2024 and beyong!

Okavango Research Institute Host STEAM Fair to Commemorate National Science Month

The  Okavango Research Institute (ORI) is commemorating National Science Month " STEAM Festival" to showcase the institute research activities and communicate it with the community in ways that they can comprehend.

The institution has selected students from secondary schools in Maun to participate in festival to inspire their  curiosity, encourage learning, and foster a deeper appreciation for the world of science. The event started today with students visits to numerous exhibits in Maun.

An open day will be held on the 17 August 2023.

You are all encouraged to grace the event!!

ORI Proffesor Presented Research Award

Professor Oluwatoyin Kolawole was presented with the National Research Excellence award in the category of Indigenous Knowledge Systems at the 2023 excellence awards hosted by the Ministry of Communications Knowledge and Technology.

Prof. Kolawole's research  focused on engaging farmers  and climatologist in  adaptation  to climate variability and change in the Okavango Delta, Botswana.

Congrats on your achievement Prof, we celebrate with you.

Effects of age and sex on site fidelity, movement ranges and home ranges of white and black rhinoceros translocated to the Okavango Delta, Botswana

 Vera Pfannerstill, Johannes Signer, Michael Fitt, Kyle Burger, Niko Balkenhol, Emily Bennitt

  Abstract

Evaluating translocation success is essential for wildlife management and conservation; short-term success can be evaluated by analysing settlement behaviour after release. We analysed GPS collar data from 47 white (Ceratotherimum simum simum, Burchell, 1817) and 25 black (Diceros bicornis minor, Drummond, 1876) rhinoceros translocated to the Okavango Delta in Botswana between 2014 and 2018. We tested for effects of age and sex on site fidelity and compared movement ranges after translocations between different release sites and between newly released and established individuals. White rhinoceros adults displayed higher site fidelity than subadults and males higher than females. Adults may therefore be better translocation candidates. Site fidelity of black rhinoceros did not differ between sexes or ages. Established rhinoceros movement ranges were smaller than those of newly released ones, pointing towards extended post-translocation exploratory movements and later settlement in smaller home ranges. Movement ranges of white rhinoceros released on an island were significantly smaller than others, which shows together with annual home range sizes compared with the literature that reserve size and rhinoceros density affect home range size. All rhinoceros in this study survived for more than 1-year post-translocation, so these translocations can be deemed successful in the short term.

 Full article:  https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/aje.13011

Application for University of Botswana undergraduate admission

The application for undergraduate admission has been extended to close on the 31 July 2022.

For more information visit: https://www.ub.bw/study