Stray hippos kill cattle in Katakwi district
KATAKWI-Residents of Kapujan Sub-county in Katakwi district are living in fear after a school of hippopotamuses [ hippos ] invaded the area, killing six head of cattle, as well as destroying hundreds of acres of crops.
The most affected villages are Agule, Kelim, Akisim, Okii and Damasiko which are along the shores of Lake Bisina.
Augustine, a resident of Agule village told this reporter that the hippos have taken advantage of the stagnant water in the area to invade villages, following the recent flooding of Lake Basina.
According to him, the hippopotamuses have been roaming the area since July this year.
He added that the animals are a threat to their lives, especially young children.
Martine Otwa, another resident of the area, said the wild animals invade the area in the evening and morning times.
According to Otwa, the presence of the hippos in the area has forced residents to enter their houses as early as 7.00 pm when the animals move out of water in search of pasture.
On Wednesday night, the hippos attacked Jenifer Adongot, a resident of Damasiko village after she came out to check on her cattle after they started mooing.
“I narrowly escaped death by quickly climbing a nearby tree before making an alarm, which attracted residents forcing the beasts to flee,” said Adongot.
Mutwalibu Omusana, LCI chairperson Akisim village said hippos have attacked the village since last year, saying they normally come at night and that they recently killed two of his relatives.
Michael Irwamaut, the LCIII chairperson of Kapujan Sub-county said the presence of the beasts in the village has made it very difficult for residents to access water from Lake Bisina for domestic use.
“Currently most people enter to sleep as early as 6:30 pm and ease themselves inside their houses for fear of being attacked by the animals,” said Irwamaut.
According to him, people in the affected villages now spend sleepless nights, with men lighting fire and drumming to scare away the hippopotamuses but in vain.
He said that they have informed Uganda Wildlife Authority [UWA] about the stray animals but nothing has been done.
Capt. Cranmer Manirafaha, one of the officers attached to the animal problems department under UWA’s Mt Elgon conservation area acknowledged receiving reports of the stray hippopotamuses.
He said that a team of UWA officials accompanied by rangers would visit the affected area for mapping and community sensitisation soon to ensure that residents keep out of contact with the hippos.
However, Manirafaha, cautioned members of the public against resorting to killing the animals, saying that whoever commits the offence will be dealt with accordingly.
https://thecooperator.news/uwa-installs-another-fence-along-queen-elizabeth-national-park/
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