Elephant kills man in Omusati
NAMPA
ONGWEDIVA
A 46-year-old man died after he was reportedly attacked by an angry elephant at Okatseidhi village in the Omusati Region’s Tsandi constituency on Sunday.
Speaking to Nampa on Monday, Omusati regional councillor for the constituency, Junias Amunkete, said the deceased was one of six villagers who tried to drive a herd of elephants from their crop fields.
According to Amunkete, the villagers attempted to chase the elephants away from 18h00 until late in the evening and only realised late that night that the victim was missing.
“They realised he was not with them when it was already dark. He was discovered dead in the field on Sunday morning when they went looking for him,” he said. He added that the elephants were still in the area.
Elephant to be put down
Approached for comment on Monday, spokesperson of the environment ministry, Romeo Muyunda, told Nampa the elephants in question reside in the area after being relocated from Etosha National Park.
He confirmed that ministry officials were in the area on Monday to deal with the situation, adding that there were three elephants.
“We have declared one of the elephants as dangerous. It will be put down and its meat will be given to the local community,” Muyunda said, adding that the ministry will also pay N$100 000 for the funeral of the deceased.
The Omusati police confirmed the incident and named the deceased as Abner Iyambo Petrus. His next of kin have been informed.
ONGWEDIVA
A 46-year-old man died after he was reportedly attacked by an angry elephant at Okatseidhi village in the Omusati Region’s Tsandi constituency on Sunday.
Speaking to Nampa on Monday, Omusati regional councillor for the constituency, Junias Amunkete, said the deceased was one of six villagers who tried to drive a herd of elephants from their crop fields.
According to Amunkete, the villagers attempted to chase the elephants away from 18h00 until late in the evening and only realised late that night that the victim was missing.
“They realised he was not with them when it was already dark. He was discovered dead in the field on Sunday morning when they went looking for him,” he said. He added that the elephants were still in the area.
Elephant to be put down
Approached for comment on Monday, spokesperson of the environment ministry, Romeo Muyunda, told Nampa the elephants in question reside in the area after being relocated from Etosha National Park.
He confirmed that ministry officials were in the area on Monday to deal with the situation, adding that there were three elephants.
“We have declared one of the elephants as dangerous. It will be put down and its meat will be given to the local community,” Muyunda said, adding that the ministry will also pay N$100 000 for the funeral of the deceased.
The Omusati police confirmed the incident and named the deceased as Abner Iyambo Petrus. His next of kin have been informed.
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