Disaster in Ngamiland

The situation is reportedly compounded by the drying lake as the impoverished cattle get stuck to death while trying to drink from the lake.

In addition, the overpopulation of cattle in Ngamiland, which has 500,000 cattle against a carrying capacity of 250,000 is weighing heavily on grazing pastures in communal areas. A veterinary official in Maun, Dr Kennedy Ndlovu, said while 66 deaths have been recorded, there is under reporting of the mortalities by farmers and hundreds may have already died. Ndlovu said a lot of cattle are starving and getting stuck in the mud of the dying lake after drinking the water.