Zebaldt Ngaruka
EPUKIRO – Farmers in various parts of the Epukiro constituency in the Omaheke region are facing challenges from wild animals who kill their livestock.
The latest incident was at Otjinotjiua Plot, where farmer Venoumba Mbatara lost 15 sheep in three days to unknown wild animals.
The Ongootura pond in the vicinity of Ovinjuru is one of the hotspots for wild animals due to its high level of water bodies.
Mbatara told New Era the unidentified animal attacked at night, and it was only targeting sheep.
“This is a very strange thing, and we tried to search and ambush it, but to no avail. We never had such a strange attack, apart from jackals here and there, but we managed to control it,” he said.
Several incidences of attacks on livestock have been experienced since early in the year at places like Otumbonde, Otjimanangombe, Okovimburu, Okombomi, Ramoro, Okanguindi, Ozombouvapa, Erindi Ramoro, Otjombundiro and Otjijarua areas, amongst others.
Wild dogs and jackals are roaming around in large numbers, and causing distress to livestock and farmers.
Leopards and cheetahs are also common predators found in the constituency, and they mostly appear in drought periods.
Mbatara added he was left with no option but to take his small stock to neighbouring Ozombouvapa village for survival.
“We slept at the kraals for days to guard our animals. I had to go back to work in Gobabis, and I am afraid to leave my worker alone with this problem,” he noted.
Asked whether he reported the matter to the relevant authorities, he said he only spoke to the region’s forestry department.
“I called them when I arrived here, and they were asking me questions about the height of kraals, and how I am trying to save my sheep. They promised to come to the plot – but up to now, nothing from their side. I have to move my animals to Ozombouvapa, as I have to go back to work,” said the affected farmer.
Asked what the wild animal footprints look like, Mbatara said it is difficult to tell, as he knows the footprints of the common predators in the area.
“I am afraid to speculate, as I am not familiar with these footprints. My worker first told me that he saw wild animals with many colours – and that he suspected them to be cheetahs.”
He also told this publication he has some meat recovered from the attack, and awaits instructions from the forestry authority.
“We recovered some ear tags in the field to prove to the authority,” he added.
Plot Otjinotjiua is about 13 kilometres north of Ozombouvapa and is neighbouring Otjihaenena village on the Ombaue road.
– zngaruka@yahoo.com