The farmers from Paicho and Palaro Sub Counties say that the wildcats suspected to be hyenas, leopards, or wild dogs have killed and feasted on at least seven cows, three sheep, and fourteen goats in less than two weeks.
Several
farmers in Gulu district have abandoned activities on their farmlands due to
the fear of suspected stray wildcats.
The farmers from Paicho and Palaro Sub Counties say that the wildcats suspected
to be hyenas, leopards, or wild dogs have killed and feasted on at least seven
cows, three sheep, and fourteen goats in less than two weeks.
They say that the wildcats have been roaming the areas of Kicekke and Atoo
Villages in Paicho and Telute Village in Palaro Sub County for the last two
weeks.
The wildlife devours their prey, sucks blood through the necks, and feasts on
the internal organs like the intestine, liver, heart, and lungs and leaving the
carcass.
Byron Okello, a livestock farmer says that he lost his heifer to the wild cat
last Saturday.
He explained that the
carcass had no liver, intestine, a lung among other internal organs.
Okello says that he has not only lost his heifer but has also abandoned his
farmland for fear of being attacked by the suspected wildcats since they have been
roaming the area for quite some time.
//Cue in: ‘’eni roya dyang...
Cue out: …camo malakwang.’’//
Joseph Okot, a farmer in Tellutte Village says that his family has also
abandoned works on their garden since footprints of the suspected were spotted
in the area.
Okot added that the residents are currently moving in armed groups while going
to fetch water from streams and wells in order to watch over each other due to
the risks of being attacked.
Charles
Ocitti, another farmer notes that life has become very hard for the residents
of Telute village noting that movements have been restricted due to fear.
Patrick Okello, the Kiceke Village Local Chairperson in Palaro Sub County said
on Wednesday that a trace to the foot marks of the wild animals links them to
leopards, wild dogs, and hyenas based on the claws and toes prints.
//Cue in: ‘’kwanyo cine ki…
Cue out: …dano ni weng.’’//
William Obwoya, the area Councilor Five for Paicho Sub County noted that the
community has convened a security meeting to track down and kill the creatures
since it has caused fear among the people.
Palaro Sub County, Francis Wokorach, also notes that the suspected wildlife has
killed six cows and fourteen goats in the last weeks causing fear among the
people.
Charles Ichogo the Resident District Commissioner for Gulu says his office has
been informed about the matter and called for vigilance noting that they are
engaging Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Wilson Kagoro, Chief Warden of Murchison falls National Park said that they were
yet to send a team on the ground and have the wildlife driven out of the areas.
