Leopard invasion in Soroti city sparks fear among residents
The sighting has heightened anxiety among residents, particularly those in Arapai, Soroti East Division, coming barely a month after another leopard was reportedly spotted in Awaliwal sub-county in Soroti district.
Martin Opolot, a Conservation Education Assistant attached to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve (middle) sharing with LC5 Soroti district Bob Owiny recently in Aukot, where a hippo was sighted and had started destroying people's crops. (Photo by Godfrey Ojore)
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Fear is mounting among residents of Soroti city and neighbouring communities following reports of three leopards spotted near Soroti University in Arapai.
The sighting has heightened anxiety among residents, particularly those in Arapai, Soroti East Division, coming barely a month after another leopard was reportedly spotted in Awaliwal sub-county in Soroti district.
On Wednesday, security guards at Soroti University reportedly spotted three leopards outside the university fence, raising concerns about the safety of residents in the surrounding communities.
“Whereas our security guards reported spotting the three leopards near the university's eastern gate, I appeal to students and staff to remain calm, knowing that they are safe within the university's well-fenced premises," university spokesperson Juma Hassan Nyene said.
Martin Opolot, a Conservation Education Assistant attached to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, said wildlife officials had confirmed the presence of the animals through their footprints and deployed traps in an attempt to capture them.
“We confirmed their footprints and took a trap to Awaliwal sub-county, but we did not catch any. A few days later, we received reports that they had been sighted in Abia sub-county in Amuria, where we relocated the trap,” Opolot said.
He attributed the movement of wild animals into human settlements to the prolonged drought, which has forced them out of Bokora-Maseniko and Pian Upe wildlife reserves in search of water.
Last month, a buffalo reportedly killed a man in Katakwi district, while a leopard was also sighted in Soroti district. Two buffaloes were additionally reported in Kalaki district during the same period.
“We are following them closely, but people in areas where these animals have been sighted should remain vigilant,” he advised.
He cautioned residents against moving at night and urged those who must travel after dark to carry torches, saying the light could help scare away the animals.
Opolot also advised households to secure their domestic animals, including sheep, goats, turkeys and chickens, in enclosed shelters to protect them from leopard attacks.
He said the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) would deploy a wildlife veterinarian to capture the elusive leopard once its hiding place was established.
“We shall use a darting gun to capture it because the use of traps has failed,” Opolot said.