Loss as leopards kill farmer's 198 goats

Loss as leopards kill farmer's 198 goats.[James Omoro]

A farmer has suffered a huge loss of more than Sh1milliion following the death of 198 goats killed by the wild animals suspected to be leopards.

The incident occurred at Lwala Village in Lower Kobonyo Sub-location, East Kanyamwa Location in Ndhiwa Sub-county.

It was reported that goats were killed in a ranch where they were reared.

The ranch co-managers Benard Ouma and Paul Otogo said the 100acre  ranch had 200 goats in total. But only two goats survived last night’s tragedy.

“We had 200 goats but we were able to get only two alive. This is a serious loss we have incurred,” Ouma said.

He said the leopards must have jumped over the fence into the ranch to kill the goats. The ranch has an electric fence.

“Our ranch is 100 acres and it has an electric fence. We suspect the leopards must have jumped over the fence to kill our goats,” Ouma said.

The goats’ carcasses were scattered in various parts of the ranch, indicating a serious loss.

“The carcasses of some goats were eaten by the wild animal. Some goats were killed but their carcasses were not interfered with,” Ouma added.

Otogo appealed to the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) to compensate them for the losses incurred.

“We are appealing to the KWS to compensate us because the leopards came into our ranch and killed our goats. Let them also trace the leopards and trap them,” Otogo said.

He said the leopards had instilled fear among residents of the area. This occurred after two leopards were potted when they were wandering by the fence of the ranch.

“A young man who takes care of the ranch saw two leopards near the fence after the incident. This instilled serious fear in him and residents of this area. We call on the KWS to intervene in this matter,” said Otogo.

The KWS Warden in charge of Homa Bay County Jackson Kibor said they had received a report about the deaths of the goats.

Kibor said they were still conducting investigations to establish the actual number of goats which were killed.

“I sent a team of my officers to the scene. So far the number of goats we have confirmed to have been killed is 26 but we are still conducting investigations to establish the actual number,” Kibor said.

He said they will process the matter for compensation.

“We are processing it for compensation but we still want to get the actual number of goats killed by the leopards,” Kibor said.