Environment Ministry urges vigilance amidst rising wildlife attacks

Hertta-Maria Amutenja

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism has called upon community members to exercise extreme caution and guard against potential attacks by wild animals.

The alert follows a series of tragic incidents in the Kavango East region, where crocodile attacks claimed the lives of two individuals within this month.

The first tragedy occurred on 01 January 2024 in Shikoro village, where a female resident, Mudi Muhembo, was reported to have been fatally attacked by a crocodile while fetching water.

The second incident unfolded on 04 January 22024 in the Mutjiku area, claiming the life of 17-year-old Bunewero Peter Kuwananayo, who was also attacked while collecting water from the river.

Expressing deep regret, the Ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda, disclosed that a comprehensive investigation is underway to understand the circumstances surrounding these distressing events.

He said Muitjiku, one of the affected villages, had received a fully equipped borehole funded through the Game Product Trust Fund for Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts, specifically addressing crocodile encounters.

Highlighting the severity of the issue, Muyunda said a 50-year-old Namibian man suffered severe injuries in a hippo attack in Marema village, Kavango West, on 13 December 2023, and is currently undergoing treatment in the hospital.

Furthermore, a 9-year-old Namibian child was reportedly attacked by a crocodile on the Angolan side of the river.

The victim, who had visited his grandmother in Angola, was with three other children when the incident occurred.

Ministry officials are actively involved in the search operation, emphasizing the precarious nature of activities along riverbanks.

Muyunda, underscored the gravity of the situation, stating, “These are risky times to engage in activities along our river line. Caution must be taken at all times.”

Moreover, he said the Ministry is collaborating with relevant authorities to provide potable water points in affected communities, aiming to mitigate the risks associated with human-wildlife conflicts.