Parks Manager for Nkhotakota Game Reserve, David Nangoma, has condemned acts of vandalism of the perimetre fence saying the malpractice exposes the surrounding communities to risk of being killed by elephants.
Last month, roaming elephants were spotted roaming in communities around Traditional Authority Kapelula near the western border of the game reserve in Kasungu.
Apparently, the elephants had escaped the game reserve through stretches where the perimeter fence has been vandalised by the nearby communities who invade the protected area for illegal activities including charcoal production and gold mining.
Nangoma said criminals have also vandalised at least 17 camera traps that are installed to collect accurate baseline data on animal population.
Additionally, the authorities are struggling with illegal charcoal production and mining activities targeting gold deposits in Bua river which snakes through the park hence endangering a number of wildlife species including Mpasa fish.
The authorities have since started courting communities and stakeholders to find lasting solutions and protect the country’s oldest and biggest game reserve.
During a Joint Liaison Committee for Nkhotakota Game Reserve meeting in Kasungu last week, Chairperson for the committee, Inkosi Khosolo of Mzimba also expressed concern with the increase in incidents of vandalism at the reserve.
He said, as chiefs, they have tried to engage with their subjects on the need to protect the game reserve but to no avail.
District Commissioner for Kasungu, James Kanyangalazi, asked stakeholders to work together to protect the game reserve, warning that continued vandalism would create a human-animal conflict.
Reported by Wanangwa Tembo
