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Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
WILDLIFE rangers from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) and Zibagwe Rural District Council are monitoring a herd of stray elephants that was spotted on the outskirts of Kwekwe.
The elephants, numbering to about 10, are reportedly destroying crops in Ward 1 Mopane Lozzane and Sultanan areas.
Zimparks spokesperson, Mr Tinashe Farawo confirmed that there were men on the ground who were monitoring the situation.
“Rangers are on the ground as we speak and constantly monitoring the movements of the elephants. They are monitoring the elephants constantly to avoid any harm,” he said.
Mr Farawo said the jumbos belong to the Midlands Black Rhino Conservancy and were being driven back to the conservancy.
“They have strayed from the conservancy and the rangers are slowly driving them back. It is not always that we take them down unless something happens like if the animals turn violent or something like that. But as it is nothing of that sort has happened so we resort to driving them back into the conservancy,” he said.
He urged members of the public to avoid provoking the animals and report such cases in time.
“Whenever residents see wildlife, they should report in time and give enough information which is key in addressing the situation. We also encourage villagers to avoid provoking the animals in any way as they risk being attacked. There is no animal which attacks without being provoked. So, we are encouraging the members of the public to give the elephants enough space to avoid the worst-case scenario,” he said.
Last year, authorities took down two elephants after a middle-aged man was trampled upon as he reportedly took selfies with one of the jumbos in the background.
Government is working tirelessly to mobilise finances to bankroll the Human-Wildlife Conflict Relief Fund to start compensating families and communities affected by wild animals.
Online Reporter