http://www.newera.com.na/article.php?articleid=42436


Marauding lion devours cattle - by Loide Jason


WINDHOEK – Farmers at Okalundu and Onameme near Ruacana have lost 10 cattle to a roaming lion since November last year to Saturday, when the last attack took place.

The two villages are situated near Ruacana Constituency in Omusati Region.

According to villagers, the lion has been around causing trouble since last year – but officials from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism at Ruacana failed to act.
Villagers claimed that environment officials promised to hunt down the lion but until now the animal remains a menace to cattle, which are highly prized and have sentimental value for villagers.

“I have been driving to nature conservation in Ruacana to report the incident, but we are still losing our animals,” said one of the farmers who lost a number of cattle.

When approached for comment, a game ranger Mumbalu Michael said, “I’m aware of only eight cattle and we are awaiting the verification report of Saturday’s attack.”
He confirmed the attacks were reported to the Environment and Tourism office since November.

He said once such attacks are verified, nature conservation normally gives the victims compensation forms to complete as a compensation scheme is in operation in the area.

“After the victims complete the forms, we always constitute a panel to discuss and approve the completed compensation forms,” he explained.

He also gave the assurance that environment officials are now in the field trying to trace and gun down the lion responsible for the attacks.

quote:

“After the victims complete the forms, we always constitute a panel to discuss and approve the completed compensation forms,” he explained.

This entails what is commonly called a 'sitting allowance' and is a major financial drain on conservancy funds. The hierarchy are transported and fed (plus some beers) at great expense. By the time they are done the compensation money is all but spent.