12 Jun 2018

Residents of Shashe Bridge and Tati Siding have been cautioned to be on the lookout for roaming elephants spotted in their vicinity.

Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) chief wildlife warden Mr Malatsi Mamani told residents during a kgotla meeting recently that the elephants were spotted around areas of Ditladi, Patayamatebele and Matsiloje fields as well as cattleposts moving towards the direction of the two villages.

Mr Mamani said since hunting of elephants had been banned in the country, they experience a high increase of elephant populations as they now move around, occupying areas that they were not familiar with or used to.

 He said two herds of elephants with calves had been spotted roaming at the mentioned cattleposts, where there were ploughing fields as well.

Mr Mamani advised residents and farmers to avoid travelling at night since elephants preferred to walk about in the evenings and at night.

He said since they had calves, it was risky as they could easily charge at anything they come across in protection of their young ones.

The chief wildlife warden further advised residents to desist from shooting elephants because it would unsettle them, thereby resulting in a rowdy behaviour.

Mr Mamani advised residents to walk away from the elephants should they come across them by all means possible and keep a distance from them.

However, he said should there be any help needed by the residents regarding that, they should immediately contact the wildlife base camp at Matsiloje.

He also updated residents that the hunting season was still closed, but exemption applied for those who own ranches even though they have to apply for hunting licenses, should they wish to hunt.

He said should residents wish to hunt, they could make arrangements or requests with ranch owners whom if permitted, could then apply for a hunting license to hunt a desired wild animal inside the ranch, reminding them to be aware that licenses differed. ENDS