A commotion ensued near the Kasese Cobalt Company limited premises in Kasese Municipality as locals gathered to witness an unusual sight this morning. An elephant had become trapped in a septic tank in the popular Kawanga area, prompting concerns from the community.
According to eyewitness accounts, the incident occurred late at night when the area was devoid of electricity. Residents suspect that the elephant, believed to be part of a group responsible for crop destruction, accidentally fell into the septic tank. Ms. Susan, a local resident, expressed her concerns about the need for urgent fencing of the remaining parts of Queen Elizabeth National Park to prevent such incidents.
While there has been no official statement from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) regarding the incident, Mr. Shariff Masereka, the chairperson of Kidodo cell local council one, confirmed reports of the elephant being trapped. He stated that experts were on their way to the site to assess the situation and devise a solution. Mr. Shariff reiterated his earlier warnings about the dangers posed by poachers, particularly young boys who rely on undernourished dogs to hunt wild animals like elephants and buffaloes.
In addition to addressing poaching concerns, Mr. Shariff emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts to raise awareness among communities about the presence of wild animals. He urged locals to report any sightings of such animals in villages to ensure the safety of residents.
According to Kasese Guide Radio authorities are working to resolve the situation and safely extricate the trapped elephant.
