Drought worsens human−wildlife conflict

FOUR people have so far been killed by animals this year in growing incidents of conflict between humans and wildlife, environment minister Pohamba Shifeta said while expressing concern during a press conference in Windhoek last Thursday.

He said animals are here to stay, and there is therefore a need to create awareness among communities on how to live in harmony with them. The director of parks and wildlife in the ministry Colgar Sikopo said there have been 109 recorded cases of livestock killed; an average of 218 hectares of crops destroyed; and four people killed in the process during this period. He said last year, 16 people were killed in conflict between humans and wildlife, while one child was injured. 554 cases of livestock killed had also been recorded, with 222 hectares of crops damaged across the country then.