The Department of National Parks and Wildlife has withdrawn its deployed officers and veterinary doctors from the search operations for stray lions that have been terrorizing the community in Kaoma since May 21, 2024.

Kafue Region Senior Warden, Lewis Daka told ZANIS in Kaoma that the decision to withdraw the team was made after nearly a month of unsuccessful searches, during which over 20 cattle are reported to have been killed.

Mr Daka attributed the difficulty in tracking the lions to the thick terrain, which has made it challenging for vehicles to access adding that the department is considering requesting air transport to aid in the search.

“We have withdrawn both wildlife officers and veterinary doctors from the search operations, we seem not to know exactly where the lions are. We are going back to re-plan our strategy and probably talk to other ministries for air transport, seems the lions are hiding in the thickets where vehicles can’t reach,” Mr Daka said.

The Wildlife Department officer has assured the public that it resume the search operations once a new strategy has been devised to track and relocate the beasts estimated to be more than 10.

Meanwhile, affected communities have expressed fear over the matter with some suspecting witchcraft  alleging that some individuals maybe  turning themselves into lions to eat other people’s cattle to avert  hunger.

Residents are wondering how the department in charge of wildlife is struggling to find the beasts. 

In a related development, Wildlife Department in the area has advised residents to remain vigilant after it spotted two hynas.

Fortunately, no human life has been lost so far.