GAME RANGERS KILL ONE ARMED POACHER IN QUEEN ELIZABETH

By Allan Mugabe

www.mknewslink.com

In Rubirizi

Three poachers from kanungu district were on Saturday 11th May intercepted by game rangers of Queen Elizabeth national park in Bunyaruguru, rubirizi district.

During the raid, one poacher was killed in the gunfire and one gun recovered.

Kanungu deputy RDC Emmy Ngabirano identified the deceased a Moses Bitungwa aged around 30s of kabuga parish, kihihi subcounty, kanungu district.

The deputy RDC Emmy Ngabirano said that as government, they will not compromise on issues of poaching and encroachment on national parks especially on activities that compromise the existence of wild animals, flora and fauna which bring in a lot of revenue through tourism.

He asked the locals to appreciate the co-existence of the national parks and human beings, saying that locals benefit in various ways for instance through the revenue, sharing funds got by all people neighboring national parks.

He said many of the poachers have been misguided that once they smear themselves with local herbs, they will not be traced by rangers, adding that with the current level of technology, such myths do not work.

He later sympathized that it was unfortunate that lives were lost but added that security operatives had no option since the poachers were also armed.

This is not the first time poachers have been intercepted by rangers.

In late February, a group of poachers were intercepted by rangers in kameme, kanungu district. Most of the poachers escaped but two elderly poachers failed to run and spent more than a week in the wilderness. They later returned, very tired, only to find their families mourning their death.

They were later summoned by police to record statements.

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