Three dead from wild animal attacks
Two people recently killed by elephants
Following a shocking video clip currently circulating on social media showing footage of a man being trampled and killed by an elephant in Gumare this week, local wildlife authorities have since confirmed that two other cases of the same nature have occurred.
In an interview with The Midweek Sun, Okavango Wildlife Conflict Foundation (OHWCF) Chairman, Gakemotho Satau said they have registered three incidents of Human Wildlife Conflict in the Okavango area in a space of seven days.
“All the three cases were fatal. Two incidents involved elephant attacks and one is of a lion”.
Satau said that in such incidents of human wildlife conflict resulting in loss of lives, the DWNP under the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism would compensate each deceased family at a value of P70 000. These costs are used towards burial arrangements.
Satau further explained that his organisation is saddened by the incidents.
He appealed to Batswana to support the bereaved families in coping with the trauma associated with the demise of their loved ones.
The foundation further cautions the general public to be vigilant all the time about dangerous wildlife frequenting their communal space.
“With summer approaching, we are expecting regular wildlife movements towards the Okavango Delta where most human communal activities occur”, Satau said.
Satau warned the public to avoid coming closer to dangerous animals like elephants, saying animal behaviour is unpredictable. The unpredictability could be a result of heat stress, thirst or human disturbances.
Meanwhile Officer Commanding Number 17 District, Victor Nlebesi said there is currently no information he can share regarding the incidents as they are still in talks with relevant authorities.