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Mangochi elephants kill 70-year-old man

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By Emelyn Nyoni 13 August, 2008 02:40:00

A 70-year-old Mangochi man died on the spot after five marauding elephants trampled upon him last week.  

Officer-in-Charge of Lake Malawi National Park Samuel Nyanyale confirmed the development saying the old man met his fate as he fetched firewood along the Phirilongwe Forest Reserve in the district.  

The deceased, Lester Kamacho from Thera Village, Traditional Authority Mponda in the district, was all by himself in the forest when he encountered the elephants around 5.00pm on Friday.

Communities along the lakeshore district, particularly in the areas of Chiefs Mponda, Mpondasi and Nankumba, have been living in fear for the last four years since cases of elephants killing people started making news.  

Nyanyale said most elephants have been causing havoc in the said places because they just move about since they are not in the protected area.  

Over 10 people from the areas have so far lost their lives after being killed by the looting elephants. Hundreds of hectares of crops have also been destroyed by the animals.  

There have been reports of government wanting to transfer some of the elephants from the forest reserve to Lengwe National Park in Chikwawa but chiefs in the area are reportedly divided over the matter with some for the idea while others totally against it.  

Comments (4 posted):

chigomezyo on 13 August, 2008 12:41:54
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This is bad indeed
stanley shawa on 13 August, 2008 01:14:44
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Government should protect the lives of people by making sure that these animals are living in a well protected areas.Otherwise this is a very bad development. Watchout!
Hands Kawoko on 13 August, 2008 02:22:50
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If chiefs are against the idea of letting some of these elephants transferred, then let them keep the animals intact. If we talk of a village, it is composed of humans and not elephants. They are called chiefs because they are looking after people and not elephants, so * do not see the reason of keeping as many elephants as they are at Phirilongwe forest reserve. If these elephants finish the whole village, will they be called chiefs? May his soul rest in peace.
prisca chunga on 13 August, 2008 02:51:27
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this is a sad development, these animals must be transfered to well protected areas
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