Dutywa farmers are gripped by fear after a mystery animal struck a second time, killing 10 rams and ewes.
Last month about 60 sheep were slaughtered by the “killer beast” in Lota village.
Local traditional leaders and livestock owners are alarmed. The sheep that have been killed have all been penned in their kraals at night.
Mbhashe Traditional Council acting head Prince Ntsika Sigcawu and sub-headman Maphelo Mamba said those who had hunting expertise came with their hounds to assist in tracking down the nocturnal killer.
Hunting enthusiast Simphiwe Pantshwa of Kroza village in Mqanduli responded to the community’s call for help.
“After reading from the Daily Dispatch about this mysterious animal, I offered my assistance,” said Pantshwa.
“I sent my pack of 14 scent hounds on Wednesday. We started at about 2am hunting and the dogs caught an aardvark. It took more than 12 hours to retrieve it from its long, winding holes.
Pantshwa further said: “Normally aardvark do not eat animals but feed on insects, but there are suggestions from other people that behaviour changes can make it different. Even the spoors that we found are similar to that of the animal we found.”
Pantshwa said there were still beliefs that the mysterious animal could be a lynx, caracal or a brown hyena.
Principal scientist at the East London Museum Kevin Cole said it could not be aardvark.
“An aardvark eats termites. It does not attack sheep. I think this could be lynx or caracal,” said Cole.
He said that he would assist in investigating the mysterious animal.
Resident Mhloi Lobi said nine of his sheep had been killed.
Mamba said three of his sheep were killed. He estimated livestock losses in the village to be around R100000, with 13 families affected so far.
Mamba and Sigcawu said Mnquma ward councillor Thobela Ndliwa had also played a pivotal role in trying to hunt down the mystery animal by transporting a pack of dogs from Mqanduli to Dutywa.
A few months ago, a mysterious animal attacked in Maxama village of Sinqumen – not far from Nyandeni – and killed 32 sheep from one family.
“We resorted to erecting an electric fence because the animals frequented our kraal,” said owner Simphiwe Hanise.
“Ever since we erected an electric fence, it never came again.”
Mystery sheep killer hits again
Last month about 60 sheep were slaughtered by the “killer beast” in Lota village.
Local traditional leaders and livestock owners are alarmed. The sheep that have been killed have all been penned in their kraals at night.
Mbhashe Traditional Council acting head Prince Ntsika Sigcawu and sub-headman Maphelo Mamba said those who had hunting expertise came with their hounds to assist in tracking down the nocturnal killer.
Hunting enthusiast Simphiwe Pantshwa of Kroza village in Mqanduli responded to the community’s call for help.
“After reading from the Daily Dispatch about this mysterious animal, I offered my assistance,” said Pantshwa.
“I sent my pack of 14 scent hounds on Wednesday. We started at about 2am hunting and the dogs caught an aardvark. It took more than 12 hours to retrieve it from its long, winding holes.
Pantshwa further said: “Normally aardvark do not eat animals but feed on insects, but there are suggestions from other people that behaviour changes can make it different. Even the spoors that we found are similar to that of the animal we found.”
Pantshwa said there were still beliefs that the mysterious animal could be a lynx, caracal or a brown hyena.
Principal scientist at the East London Museum Kevin Cole said it could not be aardvark.
“An aardvark eats termites. It does not attack sheep. I think this could be lynx or caracal,” said Cole.
He said that he would assist in investigating the mysterious animal.
Resident Mhloi Lobi said nine of his sheep had been killed.
Mamba said three of his sheep were killed. He estimated livestock losses in the village to be around R100000, with 13 families affected so far.
Mamba and Sigcawu said Mnquma ward councillor Thobela Ndliwa had also played a pivotal role in trying to hunt down the mystery animal by transporting a pack of dogs from Mqanduli to Dutywa.
A few months ago, a mysterious animal attacked in Maxama village of Sinqumen – not far from Nyandeni – and killed 32 sheep from one family.
“We resorted to erecting an electric fence because the animals frequented our kraal,” said owner Simphiwe Hanise.
“Ever since we erected an electric fence, it never came again.”
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