RESIDENTS of the Tapakuma Amerindian community in the interior of Essequibo are living in fear of jaguars which have been on the attack in their village.
Reports said one of the animals is about seven feet in length and weighs some 150 pounds. Former Headmaster of Tapakuma Primary School, Mr, Joseph Atkinson said the villagers are very fearful, especially children who have to walk lonely trails to attend classes.
He said the fearsome cat and a suspected partner are roaming the village by night and have, so far, killed and eaten 22 dogs.
Community Toshoa, Ms. Doreen Jackobus said the animals are very dangerous and she is concerned about the little nursery and primary schoolchildren, who have to travel several miles, from Dawa.
She said some villagers saw one of the jaguars early Saturday evening when it sprang from a clump of bushes near a shop and grabbed a dog with which it fled into the dark forest.
Jackobus said another resident, Mr. Paul Ramnarine, also lost a sheep and farmers cultivating large fields of cassava, suckers, pineapples and other vine crops are fearful for their lives.
Meanwhile, residents said most of the village dogs have already been killed by the jaguars and they might be targeted next.
They are, therefore, calling on the police and hunters with shotguns to capture and kill the fearsome animals.