06 Nov 2016

Residents of Tutume have been urged to beware of buffaloes, which were recently spotted in Tutume village and the surrounding areas.

Speaking during a kgotla meeting in Tutume on Thursday (November 4), an official from Tutume Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP), Mr City Geoffrey said they received the report about the animals seen moving around the village.

He said a team went to the area and indeed found buffaloesaround Magapatona.

Mr Geoffrey said some people were found chasing the buffaloes, but warned that the animal was capable of killing a human being.

He urged residents to desist from what they were doing as that could lead to some fatalities, adding that the animals could have come from Sepako or Zimbabwe.

Furthermore, he told the residents that all spotted  buffaloes were killed and blood samples collected and taken to Gaborone for testing to determine if they carried any Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

The wildlife official told the residents to report if they saw any other buffaloe, since it was believed that another herd with calves had been seen in the same area.

One resident, Mr Imi Phili said residents needed to be extra cautious because buffaloes were dangerous and should heed the DWNP’s officials seriously and stay away from the animals.

Councillor for the area, Mr Ishmael Mokgethi said people should not move cattle from one area to another as well as cooperate with the officials once the results are released. ENDS