Lions kill 20 people in southern Ethiopia

Sept 20, 2005 (ADDIS ABABA) — Lions have mauled to death 20 people and 750 head of livestock in southern region of Ethiopia, local administrators said on Tuesday.

Tadesse Gichore, an administrator in the Southern Peoples’ Nation and Nationality Regional State, said the lions attacked 14 villages, “killing 20 people and 750 domestic animals” early this month.

The lions, which mauled their prey in daylight attacks while herdsmen were grazing their stock, have forced more than 1 000 to flee Soro district, about 370km south of the capital Addis Ababa, Taddesse told state-run radio.

Regional wildlife officials were working with local authorities to resolve the issue.

They said the lions have been forced to sneak in and attack farmland and villages because deforestation has reduced the number of animals in natural habitats.

(AFP/ST)