ONGWEDIVA - Lives and livelihoods of those living near Etosha National Park have been put in danger when wild animals escape, as the popular game reserve’s electrical fence has been off since last week.
The absence of power on the fence makes it easier for the wild animals to escape from the park.
The environment ministry said solar panels that charge the fence have been stolen.
Last week, five lions were reported to have escaped from Etosha.
According to the Oshikoto police, four lions returned later, but one was killed by the police and officials from the environment ministry.
The lion was killed after it allegedly attacked and killed four cattle at a farm in Oshivelo area in the Guinas constituency. According to the ministry’s spokesperson Romeo Muyunda, having a voltageless fence is a challenge as it allows dangerous animals like lions to escape the park. He said wild animals pose danger to people within the surrounding areas and their livestock.
“These wild animals can cause injuries or death to the community. It can also kill people’s livestock,” he noted. Muyunda said officials from his ministry are working on the fence and the situation will soon return to normal. He urged communities residing in the vicinity of Etosha National Park to be more vigilant and avoid walking at night.
“Wild animals should be reported on time when spotted. People should refrain from chasing or killing them,” he urged.
“The fence power is there to keep the wild animals inside and also to protect them,” Muyunda stressed.
The councillor of the Guinas constituency, Elia Marthinu, said residents are now fearing for their livestock. He stressed that his constituency has many residents who depend on searching for food such as mopane worms. “People have stopped going into the forest to search for food. The ministry of environment should do something as soon as possible. They should find an amicable solution,” he lamented.