Fear grips Nongozi as lions, hyenas kill livestock

NONGOZI – Residents of Nongozi village in the Balelwa Conservancy say they live in constant fear of dangerous wild animals, with lions and hyenas attacking their livestock and elephants threatening human lives.

The residents, who live between two national parks, namely Mudumo to the north and Nkasa Rupara to the south, say they are struggling to protect their cattle, goats and donkeys from predators, while some fear venturing outside their homes at night.

They are appealing to the government to help families who lose livestock to wildlife and to introduce protective measures to keep predators out of their kraals. Lushika village headman Richwell Makwele said the community understands that it shares its environment with wildlife but needs government support to minimise the losses and dangers associated with living near the parks.

“We understand that we are living with animals like hyenas, lions and elephants. There is nowhere we can go because we live together with the animals,” he said.

Makwele said the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism should consider assisting families whose livestock are killed by predators.

He added that the community had not received government assistance to strengthen their kraals against predators.

“We need things that can protect our goats, cattle and even us as human beings,” he said.

Another Nongozi resident, Chris Makwele, said the community faces a difficult situation because it is surrounded by two national parks.

Chris said residents had repeatedly raised their concerns with local councillors, calling for government intervention to protect people living in wildlife areas.

He said the compensation process for livestock killed by predators takes too long, with affected families sometimes waiting up to two years to receive payments through conservation-related arrangements. “Once a person’s property or animal has been caught by a predator, the government should quickly take action,” he said.

Chris also raised concerns about human lives being endangered by elephants, recalling an incident in which a man was reportedly killed by an elephant in the park last year. He said the fear of wildlife has become part of residents’ daily lives, particularly at night when lions and hyenas move close to their homes. Chris said a cow belonging to him was killed during a recent incident involving lions, while the animals could be heard roaring around the area.

“When you wake up in the morning and come outside your courtyard, you are scared because a lion or hyena might catch you,” he said.

The residents are calling for urgent intervention to improve protection for both people and livestock living alongside wildlife.

–[email protected]

The post Fear grips Nongozi as lions, hyenas kill livestock appeared first on New Era.