For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird of the mountains, and everything that moves in the field is mine. Psalm 50:10-11

In Botswana, whether in city, suburb or village, there is the strong sense that all of us — the two-legged, four-legged, and winged ones — are in this together. But rather than trend toward sentimentality or doting, the Batswana tend to be appreciative yet practical about creatures great and small. Drivers on the roads of far northern Botswana know to lookout for elephants who start wandering onto the roads at sunset. In the sandy southern tip of the country, police patrol the border on camel back. Baboons sit atop signs warning people to not feed them. Giraffes, hippos, impalas, lions, warthogs and zebras, they’re here, too, favorites of tourists who gladly pay to see them while on safaris. Family-owned goats and chickens are destined to become meals. Dog are pets and protect homes, but they stay outside and they roam; owners don’t believe in leashing. Vehicles and donkeys attached to carts share the roads, moving people and goods. Forward.