Etosha lions terrorising villagers

FARMERS in Uuvudhiya Constituency, in the Oshana Region, have complained about lions that they say are killing their livestock.

The farmers say the boundary fence of the Etosha National Park is so poorly maintained that predators and elephants escape from the park and cause havoc in nearby farming areas. They have appealed to Government to repair and reinforce the fence.Approached for comment, the Councillor for Uuvudhiya Constituency, Amutenya Ndaafa, said lions commonly occurred in the area and he had also lost livestock to them.He said Government had already started repairing the Etosha boundary fence.Meanwhile, State Veterinarian Dr Edmore Masaire has told The Namibian that several cattle died of starvation in the Uuvudhiya Constituency towards the end of last year.He said the deaths were caused by drought and not anthrax, as had been feared.They have appealed to Government to repair and reinforce the fence.Approached for comment, the Councillor for Uuvudhiya Constituency, Amutenya Ndaafa, said lions commonly occurred in the area and he had also lost livestock to them.He said Government had already started repairing the Etosha boundary fence.Meanwhile, State Veterinarian Dr Edmore Masaire has told The Namibian that several cattle died of starvation in the Uuvudhiya Constituency towards the end of last year.He said the deaths were caused by drought and not anthrax, as had been feared.