BY REGINALD KANYANE
RESIDENTS of Modimong village near Taung are living in fear after a leopard went on the loose.
According to community members, the leopard has allegedly been roaming the area for more than a week, attacking their livestock.
One of livestock owners, Ishmael Tedi, 83, said: “We are living in fear because of this wild animal. The leopard attacks our livestock and we have nowhere to turn to. We urge government to assist us by tracing the wild cat and take it to the zoo. I have cattle and goats now I cannot imagine losing them.”
Another resident, Christopher Tong said they have requested the men in the area to embark on a search for the predator but they refused fearing for their lives.
“We are worried because of a tiger on the loose. We do not know when it will strike. Our children and people at large cannot walk freely in the area anymore. However, the Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development department (READ) has installed a cage to trap it.
“We have requested men to embark on a hunt and kill the leopard, but most of them refused. They say the leopard is too dangerous and they cannot take that risk. Only few men agreed and we visit the veld constantly searching for it. The livestock we have is only our means survival,” Tong said.
He further said that Modimong village is predominantly rural and the economy heavily relied on livestock.
Tong said crime like livestock theft has also crippled them.
READ spokesperson, Emelda Setlhako said they have heeded the call to capture the leopard.
Setlhako urged community members to be cautious too.
“We have installed the cage at the identified area where the leopard was seen. We believe that we will capture it soon. The department also urges our people to be extremely careful. So far, we cannot tell where the leopard comes from,” Setlhako said.
The Guardian 