Roaming elephants displace villagers in Kajo-Keji County

More than 200 people have fled their homes after a herd of elephants entered Sokare Boma in eastern Kajo-Keji County of South Sudan.

More than 200 people have fled their homes after a herd of elephants entered Sokare Boma in eastern Kajo-Keji County of South Sudan.

The number of elephants is put at 150 by the Catholic Radio Network, which reports that the elephants crossed from the eastern bank of the Nile near Nimule to the western bank at Sokare.

The elephants are still roaming the village, two weeks after they were first sighted in the area, Radio Miraya reported yesterday.

Kajo-Keji Relief and Rehabilitation Coordinator Henry Sokiri John says the displaced people who have sought shelter in Mere and Kigwo need food, shelter and a good living environment.

“In Mere, there are over 209 individuals. And we still want to get some figures because there are others who are in Kigu, which is a bit far from the town,” he said on Radio Miraya.

He expressed sympathy with the villagers after the elephants destroyed food crops including cassava, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, simsim, groundnuts and bananas.

The Wildlife Director said the displaced people are in dire need of food, shelter, medicine and education facilities.

Last week, the Director of Wildlife in Kajo-Keji County advised the displaced people to find new homes because some parts of Sokare Boma have been identified as habitats for wildlife.

The Catholic Radio Network quoted Wildlife Lieutenant Colonel Ali as saying that Sokare displaced residents are advised relocate and settle somewhere in the county to leave the area for settlement by elephants.