FIVE lions from the pride blamed for slaughtering about 250 small stock in the Torra Conservancy in the Kunene region over the last three weeks have been relocated to a national park.
Director of parks and wildlife management in the environment ministry, Colgar Sikopo told The Namibian yesterday that a team of officials currently in the area to remove the lions has concluded that the pride consisted of only eight members – not between 10 and 15 as previously estimated by affected farmers.
He added that reports on social media platforms of two lions having been shot by the community were “fabrications”.
“We understand the community's frustrations and concerns, but they can be assured that we are progressing, and our team on the ground is on the spoor of the remaining three lions. Those complaining that it is going slowly need to also understand that this is difficult terrain, but at least five lions have been removed to where they cannot affect anyone,” Sikopo said, without disclosing the location where the lions have been taken to.
All he said was that they were “safe in one of our parks”.
The chairman of the Palmwag concession in Kunene, Tommy Adams, told this newspaper yesterday that farmers in the area were still fearful of lion attacks that could destroy their livelihoods.
Earlier this month, two farmers lost a total of 257 small livestock in two separate attacks within the space of a few days.
The estimated value of the livestock lost was put at N$400 000, with state compensation amounting to only about N$55 000.
“You must understand, we value conservation. Our people do not want to shoot lions, but in the end, if one had to weigh up what is more important, lions or one's own livelihood, then the answer becomes obvious,” Adams said.
He added that farmers in the area also dispute the number of lions. While the original figure was thought to be between 10 and 15 lions, and the environment officials now claiming there were only eight, farmers have said there were as many as 18 in the pride.
There are about 150 lions in the Kunene region.
“It has been a little quiet now, but farmers are fearing the worst all the time,” Adams said.
Source: https://www.namibian.com.na/61909/read/Five-Kunene-lions-relocated-so-far
Director of parks and wildlife management in the environment ministry, Colgar Sikopo told The Namibian yesterday that a team of officials currently in the area to remove the lions has concluded that the pride consisted of only eight members – not between 10 and 15 as previously estimated by affected farmers.
He added that reports on social media platforms of two lions having been shot by the community were “fabrications”.
“We understand the community's frustrations and concerns, but they can be assured that we are progressing, and our team on the ground is on the spoor of the remaining three lions. Those complaining that it is going slowly need to also understand that this is difficult terrain, but at least five lions have been removed to where they cannot affect anyone,” Sikopo said, without disclosing the location where the lions have been taken to.
All he said was that they were “safe in one of our parks”.
The chairman of the Palmwag concession in Kunene, Tommy Adams, told this newspaper yesterday that farmers in the area were still fearful of lion attacks that could destroy their livelihoods.
Earlier this month, two farmers lost a total of 257 small livestock in two separate attacks within the space of a few days.
The estimated value of the livestock lost was put at N$400 000, with state compensation amounting to only about N$55 000.
“You must understand, we value conservation. Our people do not want to shoot lions, but in the end, if one had to weigh up what is more important, lions or one's own livelihood, then the answer becomes obvious,” Adams said.
He added that farmers in the area also dispute the number of lions. While the original figure was thought to be between 10 and 15 lions, and the environment officials now claiming there were only eight, farmers have said there were as many as 18 in the pride.
There are about 150 lions in the Kunene region.
“It has been a little quiet now, but farmers are fearing the worst all the time,” Adams said.
Source: https://www.namibian.com.na/61909/read/Five-Kunene-lions-relocated-so-far
