35 killed in human wildlife conflict

CHENGETAI MURIMWA / TENDAI BHEBE 

At least 35 people have  been killed  by wild animals since  the beginning of this year.

This was confirmed by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson ,Tinashe Farawo.

“A man was trampled to death by an elephant in Victoria Falls(last Saturday). This is the 35th life that we have lost in human wildlife conflict since January this year.

Its sad more lives continue to be lost and we expect the numbers to go up as we get into the dry season and wild animals will be moving close to communities in search of water and food,” Farawo said.

Farawo encouraged villagers to minimise movements at night to avoid human wildlife conflicts.

“Wild animals usually move at night and people should desist from moving at night. Most reports that we receive show that most human wild life conflicts happen at night. We also want to encourage people not provoke wild animals when they come across them,” Farawo said.

Farawo said human wildlife conflicts were a common feature in Victoria Falls, Matabeleland North Province and in Mbire District which is located in the Zambezi Valley in Mashonaland Central Province.

Farawo  also said other cases of human wildlife conflict were that of crocodiles that kill those earning a living through fishing along the Zambezi River.

“The depletion of food in the water and other wild animals will leave the crocodiles without an option but attack human beings who will be fishing, “ Farawo said.

Farawo said every year crocodile and elephant attacks account for most of the human deaths and injuries.

Last year saw 71 deaths and 50 injuries against 60 deaths and 40 injuries in 2020.

According to Farawo elephants and crocodiles accounted for 90% of deaths followed by lions and buffalos.

Farawo said awareness campaigns  were under way in areas where human wildlife conflicts are rampant so that people learn to live harmoniously with wild animals.