The Department of National Parks and Wildlife has revealed that it has recorded 4 deaths caused by elephants in the last 4 days across the country.
Director Department of National Parks and Wildlife, Dominic Chiinda, has attributed the deaths to personal negligence and non-adherence to park rules and regulations by individuals, which has emanated from the increased conflict between human beings and elephants.
Mr. Chiinda said that 2 deaths where recorded in Chipangali district, 1 death in Itezhi-Tezhi and 1 death in Livingstone.
“All the deaths could have been avoided had they all adhered to wildlife protected area ethics and rules of avoiding walking at night and molesting elephants,” said Mr. Chiinda in a statement issued to RCV News in Lusaka today.
He said that the department has further observed with great concern that mostly, the recorded elephant-induced incidences are purely caused by lack of precautionary personal safety measures and total disregard of adherence to stipulated park rules and wildlife protected area ethics.
Mr. Chiinda has therefore warned citizens to take precautions whenever they encounter elephants within their communities.
He has also urged citizens to give the right of way to elephants when they come across them on the road, saying that motorists should always slow down on road stretches that pass through wildlife corridors and watch or take pictures whilst inside the car.
Angel Kasabo
