Lions escape from Kidepo national park

Apr 03, 2011

AT LEAST three lions with six cubs and 70 buffaloes from Kidepo National Game Park have invaded returnee villages in Agago district, destroying crops and eating people’s livestock.

By Chris Ocowun

AT LEAST three lions with six cubs and 70 buffaloes from Kidepo National Game Park have invaded returnee villages in Agago district, destroying crops and eating people’s livestock.

Agago district chairman, William Komakech, has said; “Three lions on February 28 crossed over to Agago from the park. One of them delivered six cubs and ate up to 30 goats, five dogs and five cows,” he said.

He said game rangers from Kidepo visited the areas and confirmed the presence of lions, but added that the cubs of one of the lions should be allowed to grow before they can drive them back into the park.

“I am worried these lions may soon start eating up people since they drink from the same water sources that our people use.

"The people are living in fear and want to flee back to the camps. I have advised them to move in groups,” Komakech said.

He appealed to the Government to drive back the animals to the park.

“The buffaloes move in small groups of 9-15 in Adilang sub-county. They destroy people’s crops and many people now don’t go to the gardens in fear,” Komakech said.

He added that about 80 snakes were discovered coiled together in Ligi-Ligi village in Adilang sub-county.

“These snakes are not wild and have not bitten anybody. They look like snakes in the zoo. I had never seen a group of many snakes moving together like this,” Komakech said.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});