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The stray lion is believed to have escaped from the Kidepo Valley National Park
Pader, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Residents of Laguti and Atanga sub counties in Pader district are living in fear following an invasion by a stray lion in their area.
The Laguti sub county LCIII chairperson Christopher Mwaka Odokonyero says the stray animal was spotted on Wednesday evening in the Lanyadyang streams bordering Kitgum and Pader districts.
It is reported that residents who were digging in their gardens later saw the stray animal in Obolokome and Langur villages which prompted them to beat drums, saucepans and jerrycans in a bid to scare it.
The stray lion is believed to have escaped from the Kidepo Valley National Park in Karenga district and was following the banks of river Pager and its tributaries that flows through Karenga, Kitgum and Pader districts.
According to Mwaka, on Thursday, farmers from Tumalyec village saw its footprints along the banks of river Ajan as it is presumed to have headed towards the villages of Acamoling, Onin and Amilobo in Paibwor parish and Atanga trading centre.
Mwaka says the presence of the lion in the area has caused panic among residents who believe the stray animal might eat their domestic animals. He said people are also fearing to go to gardens for fear of being attacked by the wild animal.
The Kidepo Valley National Park conservation manager Samuel Amanya says they have not received any reports in regards to the stray animal but promised that they will trap the animal and drive it back to its habitat.
Amanya also called on residents to remain vigilant and avoid scaring the stray animal or being tempted to hunt it as measure of averting any possible reiteration attack on humans.
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