08 Sep 2019

Government is considering whether to include hyenas in the list of wild animals that government pays for loss of property due to their predation.

This was stated by the Minister of Environment, Natural Resources, Conservation and Tourism, Mr Kitso Mokaila during a kgotla meeting in Manxotae on on September 5.

Residents complained that hyenas were the most destructive compared to any other animal, but did not make the list of animals that attracted compensation when they have caused damage to human property.

Minister Mokaila stated that the matter was raised during government’s consultations on lifting of the hunting ban and government had taken note of that and would considering enlisting them.

Residents argued that compensation was not commensurate with ISPAAD prices.

They said government paid P157 for goats, far below the market price.

Kgosi Pelotshweu Mokgadi of Manxotae said the village was faced with serious water shortage.

He said Water Utilities Corporation boused for the village though such was not done daily. The situation, he said, forced residents to drink from the river that passed through the village, the same source where wild animals such as elephants and buffaloes drank from.

Kgosi Mokgadi however, commended wildlife officers for always helping despite shortage of resources.

He proposed that animals that were a menace to the community should be targeted when the hunting commenced.

Kgosi Mokgadi also requested for an electric fence to separate wildlife conservation areas and tribal land. He said this would address wildlife/human conflict.

In response, Mr Mokaila said they had an opportunity to interact with representatives from countries with similar challenges during the Elephant Summit that was held in Kasane early this year.

He said Kenyans introduced them to a fence that could prevent elephants from invading space meant for the communities, but was not so effective with other animals.

Mr Mokaila said government had started a pilot project using the same in the Mathathane area and the project was bearing fruit, noting that other areas would follow. Minister Mokaila appealed to those with boreholes to either sell governmemt water or lend it the boreholes to water to the animals. ENDS