The environmental police in the Greater Masaka Sub Region are hunting for farmers who allegedly killed 11 grey crested cranes and injured eight others.
The incident occurred in two villages of Kikonge and Nabyewanga in Nkoni Sub County in Lwengo District when unknown farmers owning rice and maize gardens in wetlands poisoned the endangered grey-crowned cranes, killing 11 cranes on the spot.
Southern Regional Police Spokesperson, Mr Twaha Kasirye said the birds had ruptured hearts after taking suspected poisoned rice grains
“We are now hunting for the owners of the farms where the cranes were found dead to help us with investigations,” he said.
He, however, warned members of the public against encroaching on wetlands and killing both wild birds and animals, saying that they risk being arrested and prosecuted.
