Two killed by crocodiles in 2020
During the 2019/2020 financial year, almost 66% of the injuries and loss of life occurred in the Zambezi and the Kavango regions, while almost 80% of injuries and loss of life were caused by four species – hippos, leopards, crocodiles and buffalo.
ELLANIE SMIT
WINDHOEK
Two people were killed in wildlife attacks last year, while 14 others were injured in human-wildlife conflict incidences.
A total of N$5.048 million was paid out by the environment ministry through the Game Product Trust Fund to individuals, farmers and conservancies for livestock loss, crop damages, injuries to people and loss of life under the Human Wildlife Conflict Self Reliance Scheme.
Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta said 813 livestock were killed by wild animals last year.
This included 413 cattle, 243 goats, 154 sheep and 12 donkeys.
Shifeta said this at the launch of the revised National Strategy on Poaching and Human-Wildlife Conflict Management.
“Unfortunately, we had two lives lost to crocodiles.”
He added that one person was also injured by a baboon, six by buffaloes, one by an elephant, one by a hippo, three by leopards and two by lions.
Thousands of hectares damaged
With regards to crop damages, 3 450 hectares were damaged by wild animals. This consisted of 3 346 hectares that were damaged by elephants, 55 hectares by buffaloes and 49 hectares by hippos.
Shifeta said to improve programmes and projects for wildlife protection and law enforcement, they have come up with a revised strategy that will serve as a policy document with a primary objective of establishing common approaches to the protection and conservation of wildlife and to ensure the effective enforcement of laws governing wildlife resources. The new revised strategy will be for the period of the next five years.
He added that the strategy has programme areas and activities on how to operate in terms of wildlife crime prevention and law enforcement, investigations and intelligence, legal framework and prosecutions, transboundary illicit trade, protection of rhinos within protected areas, protection of rhinos outside protected areas, protection of elephants, protection of pangolins, community safety and security, partner and stakeholder coordination, as well as awareness and communication.
Four 'problem' species
Meanwhile, seven people were killed and 37 injured by wild animals during 2019/2020 financial year.
Almost 66% of the injuries and loss of life occurred in the Zambezi and the Kavango regions, while almost 80% of injuries and loss of life were caused by four species – hippos, leopards, crocodiles and buffalo.
This is according to the environment ministry's annual progress report, which said human-wildlife conflict continued to be one of the most pressing challenges facing the ministry during 2019/2020.
WINDHOEK
Two people were killed in wildlife attacks last year, while 14 others were injured in human-wildlife conflict incidences.
A total of N$5.048 million was paid out by the environment ministry through the Game Product Trust Fund to individuals, farmers and conservancies for livestock loss, crop damages, injuries to people and loss of life under the Human Wildlife Conflict Self Reliance Scheme.
Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta said 813 livestock were killed by wild animals last year.
This included 413 cattle, 243 goats, 154 sheep and 12 donkeys.
Shifeta said this at the launch of the revised National Strategy on Poaching and Human-Wildlife Conflict Management.
“Unfortunately, we had two lives lost to crocodiles.”
He added that one person was also injured by a baboon, six by buffaloes, one by an elephant, one by a hippo, three by leopards and two by lions.
Thousands of hectares damaged
With regards to crop damages, 3 450 hectares were damaged by wild animals. This consisted of 3 346 hectares that were damaged by elephants, 55 hectares by buffaloes and 49 hectares by hippos.
Shifeta said to improve programmes and projects for wildlife protection and law enforcement, they have come up with a revised strategy that will serve as a policy document with a primary objective of establishing common approaches to the protection and conservation of wildlife and to ensure the effective enforcement of laws governing wildlife resources. The new revised strategy will be for the period of the next five years.
He added that the strategy has programme areas and activities on how to operate in terms of wildlife crime prevention and law enforcement, investigations and intelligence, legal framework and prosecutions, transboundary illicit trade, protection of rhinos within protected areas, protection of rhinos outside protected areas, protection of elephants, protection of pangolins, community safety and security, partner and stakeholder coordination, as well as awareness and communication.
Four 'problem' species
Meanwhile, seven people were killed and 37 injured by wild animals during 2019/2020 financial year.
Almost 66% of the injuries and loss of life occurred in the Zambezi and the Kavango regions, while almost 80% of injuries and loss of life were caused by four species – hippos, leopards, crocodiles and buffalo.
This is according to the environment ministry's annual progress report, which said human-wildlife conflict continued to be one of the most pressing challenges facing the ministry during 2019/2020.
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