Uganda: Elephants Scare Moyo Residents

New Vision (Kampala)
April 19, 2006
Dradenya Amazia and Gerald Tenywa
Kampala

A herd of 150 elephants has crossed from southern Sudan into Uganda, causing panic as the beasts camped in the villages near Otze-Dufile wildlife reserve in Moyo district.

The elephants, which usually cross from Nimule National Park in southern Sudan during the fruiting season of palm trees, moved deep into three sub-counties located along River Nile.

The elephants devoured the fruits on mango and palm trees and they are believed to be in Otze-Dufile wildlife reserve.

Sources said the residents had complained about the destruction of crops, but have not got assistance from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).

Elephants have huge feet that cause massive destruction when the herd is big.

John Makombo, a UWA official, said the area was attractive to migratory animals, especially elephants from southern Sudan.

He said the migratory route once stretched south covering the protected areas such as Murchision Falls National Park, Kibale National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Parts of Luweero, Kiboga and Mubende districts that have been infiltrated by cultivators were located on the elephants' migratory route as they moved back and forth to northern Tanzania.

"Animals have no boundary. When they are in Uganda, they belong to Uganda and when in Sudan they are for Sudan but this time the number is so high that they started breaking mango branches in search of fruits," a source said.

UWA's Edward Asalu refuted allegations that the elephants destroyed property.

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