Elephant Kills Elderly Man
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Monday April 29, 2019 14:05
Kasane police Station commander, Superintendent Silton Fidzani confirmed the incident in a telephonic interview with The Monitor.
The incident is likely to spark debate on the human/wildlife conflict subject. A few months ago Botswana announced plans to introduce trophy hunting in a bid to reduce the country’s soaring elephant population estimated at around 130, 000.
The rise in elephant numbers has resulted in many cases of conflict between wildlife and human beings.
On the other hand, conservationists believe that introducing trophy hunting will not solve the human/ wildlife conflict. The anti-hunting crusaders argue that the country’s tourism has grown dramatically since the ban came into place and that lifting it would affect the country’s international reputation for wildlife conservation.
Fidzani said they suspect that the elephant killed the elderly man who hails from Satau village on Thursday night at Plateau Steps location. He revealed that the incident was reported at the police station on Friday at around 6am.
Fidzani added that they managed to identify the deceased and his name is withheld until his next of kin have been informed. He cautioned people to be vigilant at all times, especially in areas that are considered wildlife corridors.
He said investigations surrounding the circumstances, which led to the attack, are still ongoing. The station commander said this is the first incident of its kind this year.
In June last year, two soldiers were trampled to death by elephants. Additionally last October a 58-year old man’s life was cut short after he was also attacked by an elephant.
Meanwhile, the minister of Environment, Natural Resources, Conservation and Tourism, Kitso Mokaila reportedly visited the family of the deceased on Saturday afternoon to offer his condolences.
Apart from attacking and killing people, farmers around the country have constantly complained that elephants continue to destroy their fields. Just recently elephants destroyed over15 farms at Mbalambi village.