Maria David
COMMUNITIES in human wildlife conflict prone areas have been urged to be on the lookout for regular elephant movement to avoid confrontation that can be deadly.
The elephants are reported to be in the Ehirovipuka and Kamanjab areas of the Kunene Region, as well as Ruacana and Okahao in the Omusati Region, Okongo in the Ohangwena Region and Nehale Lya Mpingana and Eengondi in the Oshikoto Region.
They are also said to be in the Grootfontein commercial farming areas in the Otjozondjupa Region, Mangetti and Musese areas in the Kavango West Regions and areas around Khaudum National Park and Bwabwata National Park in Kavango East Region, Omatjete area in Erongo Region and many parts of the Zambezi Region.
Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said that human wildlife conflict incidents involving elephants are reported on a daily basis in some parts of the country.
Muyunda added that the elephants were first spotted in the northern areas earlier this month and are reportedly causing damages to crops and property.
According to Muyunda, the ministry has intensified its efforts to manage the conflicts with specific mitigation and preventative measures which include rapid responses to cases to assist affected communities drive away elephants from their fields and settlements.
“Members of the public are called upon not take the law into the hands by hunting down problem causing animals,” said Muyunda.
