Wild Animals Die in Panyijiar Bush Fire

21 May 2010 - (Panyijiar) – More than 100 wild animals died in a bush fire in Panyijiar county this week. Others died of hunger after fire destroyed their pasture.

The commissioner of Panyijiar county, Lony Biel, said he has taken measures to save the remaining animals. He talked to SRS on Friday from Panyijiar.

[Lony Biel]: “Many animals died in a place called Luuy. One hundred and twenty animals have died from the bush fire. The wildlife officer has gone there to see what has happened but he has not yet come back. This area is in the marshes where there is water for the wild animals. During the dry season, the grass gets dry and the water reduces. That is in our game park which has many animals. There are elephants, antelopes, crocodiles and rhinos. These animals are important because in the future this area can be developed for tourism and it can bring prosperity to Panyijiar.”

Lony said the wildlife department in the county is searching for the people who lit the fire. He calls upon the GOSS Ministry of Wildlife Conservation to come up with measures to protect wild animals from such disasters.