News / Regional
Stray lions from Kruger Park in SA causing havoc in Beitbridge
05 Sep 2011 at 04:39hrs | Views
VILLAGERS in Tshikwalakwala and surrounding areas in Beitbridge East continue to endure the pain of losing their livestock to stray lions from Kruger National Park in neighbouring South Africa.
Ward councillor, Enock Ndou said relevant authorities were not making efforts to address the perennial problem. Last week, the lions killed two donkeys and four cattle while they were grazing in the bush.
"We continue to encounter the problem of stray lions from Kruger National Park causing havoc in Tshikwalakwala and surrounding areas.
"This is an issue of grave concern to us considering that this has been going for sometime with no end in sight. We are appealing to the relevant authorities to address this problem as a matter of urgency before villagers loses all their livestock," he said.
Cattle rearing is the major economic activity for people in Beitbridge district. Clr Ndou said although there were no reports of human deaths, the animals were now a posing a threat to children, particularly those travelling long distances to school.
"If the problem of lions is not addressed before the schools open we are likely to see many children absconding classes fearing for their lives," he said.
Clr Ndou said the lions, most of which had cubs, were found in remote parts of the village.
The latest development comes hot on the heels of a similar problem encountered early this year when the lions killed 10 head of cattle and two donkeys in neighbouring Shashane village. Clr Ndou said they notified the local safari operator, Three Ways Safaris about the issue, but nothing has been done to address the problem.
"We are now planning of engaging the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority to assist us since the local safari operator contracted by the local authority appears not to be willing to help the affected villagers," he said.
Last year, elephants from the same wildlife sanctuary descended on Shashane and Tshamaswiswi where they destroyed winter crops. At Tshamaswiswi, the animals pulled down the fence. The elephants also killed three people among them a 40 year-old man as well as a pregnant woman and her three-year old toddler.
Ward councillor, Enock Ndou said relevant authorities were not making efforts to address the perennial problem. Last week, the lions killed two donkeys and four cattle while they were grazing in the bush.
"We continue to encounter the problem of stray lions from Kruger National Park causing havoc in Tshikwalakwala and surrounding areas.
"This is an issue of grave concern to us considering that this has been going for sometime with no end in sight. We are appealing to the relevant authorities to address this problem as a matter of urgency before villagers loses all their livestock," he said.
Cattle rearing is the major economic activity for people in Beitbridge district. Clr Ndou said although there were no reports of human deaths, the animals were now a posing a threat to children, particularly those travelling long distances to school.
"If the problem of lions is not addressed before the schools open we are likely to see many children absconding classes fearing for their lives," he said.
Clr Ndou said the lions, most of which had cubs, were found in remote parts of the village.
The latest development comes hot on the heels of a similar problem encountered early this year when the lions killed 10 head of cattle and two donkeys in neighbouring Shashane village. Clr Ndou said they notified the local safari operator, Three Ways Safaris about the issue, but nothing has been done to address the problem.
"We are now planning of engaging the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority to assist us since the local safari operator contracted by the local authority appears not to be willing to help the affected villagers," he said.
Last year, elephants from the same wildlife sanctuary descended on Shashane and Tshamaswiswi where they destroyed winter crops. At Tshamaswiswi, the animals pulled down the fence. The elephants also killed three people among them a 40 year-old man as well as a pregnant woman and her three-year old toddler.
Source - TH
