16 Sep 2015

Farmers of Nswazwi Makuta ward in the Nkange constituency have complained of the escalating killings of their cattle by a leopard they suspect has a cub.

In an interview with BOPA recently, one of the farmers in Makuta, Mr Chairman Malomo confirmed that the leopard is in their area and has been causing trouble for a quite some time. 

He said the cat targets calves, saying sometimes it attacks when one is driving cattle to watering points. He said it is disheartening because farmers cannot leave their cattle in the evening without kraaling them. 

Mr Malomo further said they have reported the cases several times to the department of Wildlife and National Parks, but nothing is done since the officers never come to attend the reported cases. 

He said the leopard has been terrorising them since late last year. Another farmer, Mr Mbokodo Tema narrated that they have tried trapping the leopard with snare wires to capture it, but unfortunately it avoided the traps.

However, he said they have heard of another method used in Mochudi to capture it and are in the process of applying it. Meanwhile, Wildlife officer in Tutume, Mr Mathata Sekgopi confirmed receiving reports of the leopard in the area, but unfortunately, due to lack transport they had always responded late. Ends