The Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC) says wildlife is a critical element in development and promotion tourism.
In its statement following incidents of stray killing of wild animals in the country, LTDC urged members of the public across the country to protect wildlife.
”We request members of the public to report any stray animals to the department of environment, which is mandated to conserve wildlife, or to call the corporation on +266 22322238,’ LTDC stated.
Alternatively, LTDC said such animals could be assisted to move back to their appropriate habitats where possible, instead of being killed.
It stated that the corporation being a stakeholder in environmental conservation continuously ensures that conservation of wildlife forms part of the agenda in all its public engagement platforms, including its regular community sensitisation and education programs on tourism.
It has been reported that Ha Foso residents killed a monitor lizard, which they found in their area and ate it.
It is common in Lesotho, especially herd boys to hunt and kill wild animals like springboks or rabbits and eat them, while reptiles like snakes are being killed for fear of being poisonous to human beings and some of them are extinct.
In other countries killing a wild animal is a crime which can land one in jail if found, as they are protected by law since they promote tourism.
