By Ndivhuwo Mukwevho
- Locals in Dididi village fear for their safety after 27 buffaloes escaped from Kruger Park and entered their area.
- Traditional leaders have urged people to stay away from the animals and report any sightings immediately.
People in Dididi village near Thohoyandou in Limpopo say they are living in fear after a group of buffaloes escaped from the Kruger National Park and made their way into their village.
Twenty-seven buffaloes were first seen roaming freely in the area on Monday. So far, only four have been tracked down and shot by Kruger Park rangers.
It’s still not clear which day the buffaloes escaped, and locals are shocked that the animals travelled over 70 kilometres from the Punda Maria gate without being seen in nearby villages.
“It is a scary time for most of us here in the village as we do not know what will happen if the buffaloes come to our homes. I have heard stories that they are very aggressive and they might attack human beings if they feel that their lives are in danger,” said resident Rachel Gadisi.
Gadisi said on Tuesday she didn’t let her nine-year-old daughter go to school because of the fear that she could run into the buffaloes.
“Today I did not even send my child to school, because I am worried about what might happen to her while she is on her way to the school or what if the buffaloes decide to go near the school? I do not want to take any risks as she is the only child that I have and it is my duty to ensure that she is protected all the time,” she said.
Buffaloes are part of the Big Five animals found at the Kruger National Park. They are known to be very dangerous and can attack when they feel threatened.
Another resident, Fulufhelo Magosha, said it was the first time he’d seen buffaloes in his village.
“I have stayed at this village since birth and I have never seen a buffalo here hence on Monday, we were all shocked to see so many buffaloes within our shores and till today, I still cannot believe what we have witnessed. It is unbelievable to how so many buffaloes managed to make their way into our villages,” said Magosha.
He said he’s even more scared because he lives next to a river and his house is not fenced.
“Like any animal, buffaloes do drink water and I am afraid that when they feel thirsty, they might come here next to my home to access river water and that might pose a danger to me and my family. We are not safe as villagers and something needs to be done urgently to locate the missing buffaloes, otherwise we might hear sad stories of people being attacked,” said Magosha.
Local traditional leaders have warned people in Dididi and nearby areas not to confront the buffaloes if they see them, but rather report them.
“If they see them, they are advised not to approach them, because they are very aggressive and dangerous,” reads a statement from the leadership.
Attempts to get a comment from the Kruger National Park were unsuccessful.
Pictured above: Kruger Park rangers shot and killed four of the 27 buffaloes that escaped from the National Park and are roaming freely in Dididi.
Image source: Supplied
