Farmers fire at Kunene lions
Marauding lions in the Kunene are causing severe damage for residents of the conservancies and farmers say the animals are provoking them.
Farmers in the Torra Conservancy on Monday night shot at two lions after the animals again caused trouble and provoked the community members by amongst others, jumping on cars.
According to the conservancy chairperson, Tommy Adams, these two lions are part of the pride of nine lions that killed more than 230 livestock recently at Avante Post.
In the latest attack 145 sheep and goats were killed while in the previous attack 86 sheep and goats were killed.
Since then five lions have been translocated by the environment ministry and it is believed that the other four are still roaming the area.
Adams yesterday told Namibian Sun that it could not be confirmed whether the lions were killed. “We do not know if the shots missed or if they injured the lions. The trail of the lions was followed and no blood was found. It is therefore believed that the farmers missed.”
He said that the current situation is becoming very difficult. “This incident happened in the same area as the previous two attacks. I am an advocate for not shooting lions, but then you sit with these cases. It is only when you have no other choice that you must shoot.”
Adams said the situation must be brought under control. “Hopefully we will get good news soon and the other four lions will also be relocated.”
The environment ministry, is spokesperson Romeo Muyunda, said the ministry was not aware of the shooting of the lions and confirmed that those lions remaining will be removed.
Some farmers in the Kunene Region are now keeping their cattle and small livestock in buildings to protect them from lions.
Ripanga Rupembo, a farmer in the Sesfontein constituency, keeps his cattle in a building he intends to use as a shop. Rupembo said he had 31 cattle and now only has two after lions killed the rest.
“I had no choice but to convert my shop into a shed to protect the remaining two cows I am left with,” he said.
Rupembo said he finds it difficult to support his family as his income is not enough to cover all the necessary expenses, including paying for the education of his children.
“While the government has declared war against poverty, some of us are pushed right into poverty by the conservancy policy which does not allow for the killing of lions (if they have not been declared to be problematic or a threat to human lives), while they kill our livestock,” Rupembo said.
He requested the environment ministry to translocate the lions to other areas, where they will not be able to cause so much harm.
Ngaisiue Muheue, who also farms in the Kamanjab area, told Nampa they feel left out when they look at how the ministry reacts when a lion is killed compared to when a lion kills livestock.
“Our guns and traps are being confiscated and we are left without any means of defence against predators,” said Muheue.
- Additional reporting by Nampa
Ellanie Smit
According to the conservancy chairperson, Tommy Adams, these two lions are part of the pride of nine lions that killed more than 230 livestock recently at Avante Post.
In the latest attack 145 sheep and goats were killed while in the previous attack 86 sheep and goats were killed.
Since then five lions have been translocated by the environment ministry and it is believed that the other four are still roaming the area.
Adams yesterday told Namibian Sun that it could not be confirmed whether the lions were killed. “We do not know if the shots missed or if they injured the lions. The trail of the lions was followed and no blood was found. It is therefore believed that the farmers missed.”
He said that the current situation is becoming very difficult. “This incident happened in the same area as the previous two attacks. I am an advocate for not shooting lions, but then you sit with these cases. It is only when you have no other choice that you must shoot.”
Adams said the situation must be brought under control. “Hopefully we will get good news soon and the other four lions will also be relocated.”
The environment ministry, is spokesperson Romeo Muyunda, said the ministry was not aware of the shooting of the lions and confirmed that those lions remaining will be removed.
Some farmers in the Kunene Region are now keeping their cattle and small livestock in buildings to protect them from lions.
Ripanga Rupembo, a farmer in the Sesfontein constituency, keeps his cattle in a building he intends to use as a shop. Rupembo said he had 31 cattle and now only has two after lions killed the rest.
“I had no choice but to convert my shop into a shed to protect the remaining two cows I am left with,” he said.
Rupembo said he finds it difficult to support his family as his income is not enough to cover all the necessary expenses, including paying for the education of his children.
“While the government has declared war against poverty, some of us are pushed right into poverty by the conservancy policy which does not allow for the killing of lions (if they have not been declared to be problematic or a threat to human lives), while they kill our livestock,” Rupembo said.
He requested the environment ministry to translocate the lions to other areas, where they will not be able to cause so much harm.
Ngaisiue Muheue, who also farms in the Kamanjab area, told Nampa they feel left out when they look at how the ministry reacts when a lion is killed compared to when a lion kills livestock.
“Our guns and traps are being confiscated and we are left without any means of defence against predators,” said Muheue.
- Additional reporting by Nampa
Ellanie Smit
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article