25 Feb 2014

Lives in Kazungula are at risk as lions recently entered the village.  In one incident a lion snatched a dog belonging to Mr Nkgawa Kakana.

Mr Kakana said the lion followed the dog into his home. He said the beast then ran through several yards towards the graveyard, which is a short distance from his home.

Mr Kakana said as it was dark, his neighbours and a few workers from Bush Tracks Safari lit their torches towards the area where the lion’s roar was loudest.

The wildlife officer in the area, Mr Mafoko Kangumu said the paw prints were still visible the following morning and they were able to tell it was a male lion. Mr Kangumu said more prints were found around the area, which led them to believe it was not a lone lion but a pride with cubs.

Mr Kangumu said this case was their first experience. He suspected the lions must have strayed into the village as overgrown vegetation in the area could have prevented them from realising they were entering human territory.

He added that it could also be because of the growth of Kazungula, which could be encroaching into wildlife territory. To safeguard livestock living in the village, he said they might have to chase the pride away with their vehicles or in a worst case scenario, ammunition.

One resident, Mr Muti Muti said that it seemed the lions still roamed the village especially the grave yard area.

He expressed concern over the safety of  students and workers living in Kazungula, whom he said had to walk through the grave yard to get to school or work in the early hours of the morning and in some instances, late at night. ends