Buffalos attacking residents

KAYONZA – Residents of Kageyo village in Mwili sector, Kayonza district, have called on the government for a quick and lasting solution to stop stray buffalos from attacking them. The animals that come from Akagera National Park tend to stray beyond the park boundaries to the human settlements around the park. Talking to The New Times, Jean de Dieu Rushema, one of the residents said it is highly risky for anyone to move out late in the evening hours or early morning. “We are requesting the government to help us get rid of the animals,” he said, adding that in some cases the buffaloes attack people during the day. Charles Mutanganzwa, the Executive Secretary of the area, said the animals have reached unacceptable levels of menacing the population. “They have killed people and destroyed crops. I wonder how we shall continue living with this kind of threat,” he said. “I think security officials have done enough, but they are overwhelmed by the ever increasing numbers of the stray animals.” When contacted, security officials in the district said they are aware of the issue and are working closely with the Rwanda Development Board’s tourism department to address the issue. Ends