Beasts wreak havoc in North

SEVENTEEN people were killed by elephants and crocodiles in Namibia in 2009, the latest annual report of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism has shown.

The Kavango turned out to be the most dangerous region, with crocodiles wreaking havoc and killing nine people.According to the report, tabled by Environment and Tourism Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in Parliament yesterday, crocodiles also claimed one life each in the Caprivi and Kunene regions. In Omusati, the reptiles were responsible for two deaths.Elephants killed four people in 2009; two in Kunene and one each in Omusati and Caprivi.Hippos, elephants and buffalo also destroyed lots of crops in the North, on which many rural communities mainly depend for their livelihoods.Again, the Caprivi suffered most, with elephants, hippos and buffalo plundering 167 fields of maize, sorghum, mahangu, pumpkin and watermelon.Next on the hit list was Kavango, where elephants and hippos destroyed 131 harvests of maize and mahangu. In Omusati, 81 incidents were reported where elephants helped themselves to mahangu and watermelons, while in Oshikoto, 45 fields of mahangu, watermelons and pumpkin were destroyed by elephants.Seven cases were reported in Kunene where elephants had a field day in vegetable gardens and maize fields.Otjozondjupa only suffered two incidents of elephants destroying maize crops.Lion, Cheetah and Leopard were responsible for livestock losses in Kunene. Elephants were an equally big problem, according to the report.According to the document, 18 incidents were recorded where elephants damaged fences, windmills and water pipes.Lions and crocodiles caused considerable livestock losses in Kavango, while Hardap, Karas and Otjozondjupa were also ‘seriously affected’ by the predators.With increased wildlife populations and expanded ranges in both communal freehold farming areas, there were ‘frequent conflicts’ between people and wild animals, particularly elephants and predators, the report said.’This is a complex challenge that requires innovative approaches designed with the full participation of the affected communities,’ it stated.