Pride of lions kill cattle in Lesoma
04 November, 2009
KASANE - A pride of lions invaded Lesoma killing 10 cattle and a calf on Sunday night.

Kgosi Lesoma Lesoma of the settlement said in an interview that about 15 lions invaded the settlement and killed the cattle belonging to some residents. We were called by one of the residents to the scene and we found cattle scattered all over the place.

Some were just killed and left there while some were eaten, he said adding that as they approached the scene, they saw the lions, which disappeared into the thick forest.

Kgosi Lesoma said it was not the first time lions attacked his settlement.

I think residents could have lost about 30 herds of cattle killed by lions, he said.

Kgosi Lesoma warned residents to be careful when they track down the lions as they are dangerous.

If you shoot them they run to the place where the sound of the shot is coming from, he said adding that it is advisable to shoot the lions from a tree top.

He said the lions normally kill the cattle at a grazing area in the settlement. Kgosi Lesoma however complained that compensation for the killed cattle was not enough.

Early this year, lions killed two of my cattle and I was given P2 100 as compensation. This is not enough and it impoverishes farmers, he regretted.

Wildlife warden office, Mr Pilani Chill acknowledged receiving a report, Monday morning, from Kgosi Lesoma regarding lions that had invaded the settlement.

Eleven cattle were killed by lions at Lesoma and we suspected there were about seven lions with their calves, he said.

He said details of the farmers have been taken and will be compensated accordingly.

Government pays P1 170 for a beast and P350 for a calf, he said adding that the compensation has just been recently adjusted following several complaints from farmers. Mr Pilani said farmers are allowed to kill the lions if they attack their livestock.

They cannot hunt the lions, and because it is difficult to tell which one killed the cattle they can only kill lions when defending their livestock, he said.

He noted lions notoriety is common in Pandamatenga village adding that reports are not too many in Lesoma. We have stationed our personnel in Pandamatenga but since the lions have moved to Lesoma we will move some of them there, he said.

He warned residents to be wary of the lions as they hunt in the village.

Kazungula police station assistant superintendent, Mr Chakalisa Nkoni said there were two calves and nine cows killed by lions in Lesoma.

Owners have been identified and the case is with the department of wildlife, he said. BOPA