BLOUPUTS: A total of 20 Jackals from the !Khob !Naub Conservancy in the Karas Region will be shot to reduce their numbers as they hunt and kill sheep, goats of farmers.

!Khob !Naub is located some 15 kilometres north of Keetmanshoop and covers villages such as Blouputs, Blouwes and Itsawises.

Conservancy Committee Vice-Chairperson Anna-Marie Kooper told Nampa Thursday at Blouputs that the Environment and Tourism ministry granted them quota to hunt and kill the Jackals following their outcry.

The hunting quota that includes 240 Springboks for selling, 60 for own use and one Kudu also for sale was granted in May and expires in September.

Kooper could however not tell how many Jackals were counted in the conservancy this year, but she assure that there is a lot of them and need to be reduced.

“We have a problem with jackals killing out livestock here, that’s why I am happy we got a quota to kill twenty of them and bring the number down,” she said.

Hunted jackals will be distributed to community members for meat and carpets made from skins.

Kooper says poaching has also hit the conservancy lately as in most cases blood stains, game hides were spotted, indicating that some community members hunts illegally.

“In the night we see the hunting light from the distance, this are some community members who want to destroy the conservancy. We have done anything as so far nobody was caught with a carcass and our people are tight lipped to report illegal hunting,” said the woman.

She used the opportunity to tell illegal hunters to start being responsible and stop the act because the game belongs to them and need to benefit all.

Kooper also called on all residents in villages to report illegal hunting but not to keep quiet as is the case now.

“People know and has seen animals being hunted illegally but nobody want to talk about it, that is the problem,” Kooper said.

According to her, 21 Springboks were already hunted this month.

However she stated that the hunter that was granted the authority to hunt and buy 240 Springbok left to the north, after hunting the 21 Springboks and the committee has no knowledge of when he will return.

As a result the committee might consider looking for another hunter should he not return on time because they fear their quota will expire.

“We do not want to let the quota expire because we will lose out,” says the conservancy vice chair.

She stated that the conservancy has a lot of wild animals ranging from Hyenas and Steenboks.

Blouputs is situated about 45 kilometres north east of Keetmanshoop.