21 Apr 2020

 

Senior Wildlife Warden-Ghanzi, Mr Julius Rakose has encouraged farmers to adopt other methods of preventing killing of livestock by wild animals.

He made the appeal in an interview with BOPA during operation for relocation of lions from communal area (cattle post near Kacgae village) to CKGR on Sunday.

He said farmers should not rush to kill the wild animals as permitted by law,which allows them to kill wild animals that destroy their farms or kills their livestock.

Mr Rakose, who noted that the area was vulnerable to problem animals due its proximity to the park, stated that despite the law permitting them to kill animals under certain circumstances they should have conservation in mind.

Such circumstances are prescribed by wildlife conservation and national parks act Section 46,which stipulates that a person may kill any game animal which caused, is causing or threatens to cause damage to any livestock, crops, water installation or fence. Section 47 that stipulates that a person can kill an animal in defence of human life.

Mr Rakose urged that the benefits of wildlife could not be ignored, particularly to the communities along wildlife management areas, citing that they exploit such benefits through Community –Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) programme.

He observed that if farmers could construct predator proof kraals, as well as herding their livestock, human-wildlife conflicts challenges would abate.

However, Mr Rakosa regretted that the outbreak of coronavirus had deprived community of the area the benefits of hunting, adding that they were allocated a hunting quota.

He said all logistics had been done but safari owners who bid for the quota could not hunt because of movement restriction due to COVID-19.

Nonetheless, he said all was not lost because the Minister (Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, Ms Philda Kereng) had extended the hunting season to December.

Meanwhile, Principal Veterinary Officer –Department of Wildlife, Dr Donald Kgope also shared the same sentiments that predator proof kraals, as well as herding livestock could reduce vulnerability of human-wildlife conflicts.

Dr Kgope said relocation of lions was effective exercise saying they were moved to an area,which is far from communal area.

He explained that if lions are relocated to a territory that was occupied by other pride, the lions owning that territory would attack and chase away the incoming ones and they might return to the communal areas. Ends