The Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta has revealed that a total of 33 people have died as a result of the human-wildlife conflict from 2019 to date.

Shifeta provided fellow MPs in the National Assembly with an update on the current status of human-wildlife conflict throughout the country.

Shifeta said a total of N$3,3 million was paid as compensation for loss of lives - with crocodiles, hippos, and elephants the main culprits in such attacks.

He said since 2019, N$24 million was paid towards losses caused by wild animals, while N$2,9 million was paid towards livestock losses.

N$2,5 million was spent on crop damages and N$650,000 for injuries sustained by people.

Shifeta further revealed that in terms of crop damage, 2 637 hectares were destroyed by wild animals, mainly by elephants, whilst, a total of 862 livestock were killed by predators mainly crocodiles, hyenas, lions, wild dogs, leopards and jackals.

A total of 54 people were injured within the same period.

The minister says human-wildlife conflict is a serious issue within the communities and such incidents have intensified following the ministry's successful wildlife management strategies that have led to growth in wildlife populations outside protected areas.

However, the situation is worsened by recurrent droughts across the country leading to increased competition over resources and space between people and wild animals," he noted.

The ministry together with other stakeholders involved and implemented measures such as elephant and lion collaring; an early warning system; a lion ranger programme; construction of predator-proof kraals; translocation of problem-causing animals; declarations and putting down of problem-causing animals and wildlife population management.

It will host a national conference next month where stakeholders will dissect the issue of human-wildlife conflict and propose a long-lasting solution to address it.