After reviewing the Wildlife Conservation and National Parks Act of 1982 last year, government has increased compensation for property destroyed by elephants and lions.
The Act also came with conditions meant to deter killing of lions whose numbers were reportedly dwindling. When addressing a kgotla meeting in Salajwe on April 10, regional wildlife officer (south-cent…ral), Mr Dimakatso Ntshebe informed the residents that government had resolved that as of November last year, compensation for destruction of domestic animals killed by lions would be increased.
“Compensation for a bull killed by a lion has been raised from the initial P1 900 to P5 500. Government has also increased compensation for a female cow from P850 to P3 000 and from P350 to P1 000 for a calf,” he said.
However, Mr Ntshebe further revealed that compensation will only be paid if farmers have not killed or injured the lions. He said this decision was reached in light of the fact that the population of lions in the country is decreasing at an alarming rate.
He said the conditions are meant to discourage farmers from killing lions but to only scare them off. Mr Ntshebe further informed residents that compensation will only be paid for domestic animals that have been killed inside the kraal or while they were being herded.
He explained that this is meant to encourage proper care of domestic animals by farmers after the realisation that most animals are killed while they are out roaming the forest.
He added that the review also covers compensation for destruction by elephants through which government will compensate farmers for damaged fences and fencing poles. He advised residents to always conserve proof of destruction as it is vital during assessment. However, compensation for destruction by all the other animals remains unchanged.
Mr Ntshebe also pleaded with residents to bear with wildlife officers as shortage of transport hampers them from attending their reports timely. In response, residents expressed dissatisfaction with the conditions as they said lions mostly kill at night when nobody is herding the animals.