09 Aug 2017

A team from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) has embarked on a massive search for a pride of lions which have invaded areas of Chanoga, Maun, Mawana and surrounding settlements.

Residents are living in fear as the lions are said to be killing livestock.

Principal wildlife officer, Mr Amos Ramokate confirmed in an interview that they were aware of the situation at Chanoga, as they had received reports from some farmers who spotted the lions.

He said farmers complained that the lions were terrorising them, and that they had already killed some livestock.

“We had to intervene and we visited the affected area. We also had a meeting with leaders to consult and encourage them to report to relevant authorities if they spot the animals,” he added.

Mr Ramokate said they do not encourage residents to kill the lions as they were an endangered species.

He revealed that they had sent a team to track the lions, catch them and relocate them to protected areas.

He noted that lions travelled a lot during winter as compared to summer because the weather was favourable to them to engage in many activities.

However, Dr Comfort Nkgowe from DWNP complained that farmers reported late after spotting the lions, adding that their efforts to track them were in vain.

“We had a report this week around 12pm while the lions were spotted around 9am, and we failed to find them despite our efforts to travel a distance of 9km. I urge residents to report immediately once they see the lions so that we could track them and return them to the park,” he added.

Dr Nkgowe also said that it was difficult to track the lions during the day, especially in winter.

One of the affected farmers at Mawana, Mr Gaebonwe Ramotsatsing confirmed that he lost a cow and its calf to the lions. He said the wildlife office has promised to compensate him as there was evidence.

Asked if they saw the lions, he explained that some villagers found them at the scene, but they could not kill them as it was not advisable to do so.

He also revealed that the lions killed two donkeys and a cow belonging to another farmer. ENDS