Residents of Kerepi, Nyokwa and surrounding communities along the Pageri–Moli corridor in Eastern Equatoria state are living in fear due to repeated invasions by elephants. The elephants have destroyed crops, threatened livelihoods and disrupted daily activities across an area stretching over five kilometres. Mango trees have been destroyed, banana plantations trampled and cassava crops uprooted, leaving several households facing potential food shortages.
The repeated incursions have heightened anxiety among residents, who are increasingly worried about their safety, particularly when travelling to farms and carrying out other daily activities. Major Lam Jacob, Officer-in-Charge of Loa Police Post, expressed concern over the growing human-wildlife conflict and called on the government to take urgent action to protect affected communities. He urged the government to strengthen protection measures around the game park.
Major Jacob suggested that constructing a fence and deploying wildlife officers to monitor elephant movements and prevent further destruction would help alleviate the situation. “Our communities are suffering, and people’s lives and property need protection,” Major Jacob said. He also expressed concern over the safety of schoolchildren, warning that the presence of elephants could expose learners to danger as they travel to and from school during the ongoing examination period.
The presence of elephants has raised concerns about the safety of schoolchildren, particularly during the examination period. Major Jacob appealed for a safe environment for children to travel to school and return home without fear of encountering elephants. Residents say the continued destruction of crops is worsening their economic difficulties, as many families depend on subsistence farming for their daily food and survival.
The affected communities are now calling on the government, wildlife authorities and relevant institutions to urgently address the situation before it escalates into a possible human-wildlife tragedy. Residents want immediate intervention, including effective wildlife monitoring, protection of farms and safer passage for schoolchildren and other residents. The situation continues to cause concern, with residents insisting that protecting human lives and securing their livelihoods must be treated as an urgent priority.
The government has been tasked with taking urgent action to protect the affected communities. The elephants have reportedly been raiding farms across the Pageri–Moli corridor, causing widespread destruction and displacement. The impact of the elephant invasions is being felt across the region, with residents calling for swift action to mitigate the effects.
The issue highlights the need for effective human-wildlife conflict management in the region. Residents are eagerly awaiting a response from the government and wildlife authorities to address the situation and prevent further destruction.
Key points
- The government has been urged to construct a fence around the game park and deploy wildlife officers to monitor elephant movements.
- The presence of elephants has raised concerns about the safety of schoolchildren during the examination period.
- Residents are calling for urgent intervention to protect their livelihoods and ensure their safety.
