At least 40 stray buffaloes from Akagera National Park went on rampage, on Tuesday, destroying crops in villages of Mwiri and Murundi sectors in Kayonza district.

According to residents, the herd of buffaloes attacked Mucucu and Kagyeyo villages of Mwiri and Murundi sectors, respectively.

John Mugabo, the mayor of Kayonza, confirmed the animal attack, saying the herd was large. He said the animals would be pushed back to the park with the assistance of Rwanda Development Board (RDB).

"There is a big herd of buffaloes moving around villages. We are not sure whether they jumped the fence or were fenced out of the park,” he said. "There is a fence, but it can’t hold some animals. A leopard recently attacked villages, killed seven cows and injured two people.”

Benoit Nsengiyumva, the Eastern region Police spokesman, said no one was hurt in the animal attacks on farms. He said Police, RDB and park managers were doing everything it takes to push the animals back in the park.

"It is good news that no one was injured. We are working round the clock to force the animals back into the park,” he said.

Mwiri and Murundi sector residents, however, claimed that although many complaints have been made to concerned authorities, nothing much has been done.

Aloys Musana, one of the residents, said:  "We can’t develop as our crops are constantly destroyed by wild animals. The fencing has done little to help us,” he said.

Akagera, the largest park in the country, is being given electric fencing to keep animals from straying into surrounding human settlement.