Staff Reporter
COMMUNITY members in Otjombinde, Donkerbos in the Omaheke Region, have killed a leopard which they identified as a problem animal due to its preying on their livestock.
According to community member and tourism activist Peter-Hain Kazapua from the Omaheke Region, the incident occurred on Monday, 26 August 2024.
Kazapua said the leopard allegedly came to the village in search of livestock and was immediately spotted by dogs. During the encounter, one community member was attacked by the leopard and bitten on the hand while trying to shield himself before the predator was chased off by the dogs.
Kazapua said that the community in Otjombinde receives little help from NGOs, private organizations, or the government, which are established to safeguard and protect wild predators such as leopards.
He added that the community is consistently terrorized by leopards, cheetahs, and wild dogs, which mainly prey on their livestock.
“I love tourism, but I also wear another hat as a farmer. Communities wish to co-exist with these animals, but there is little support from relevant organizations. Sometimes you lose a cow or goats valued at N$ 5,000 but are only paid N$ 800 in damages. This leads community members to decide they’d rather just kill the animals,” Kazapua said.
Photos: Contributed
