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Precious Manomano-Herald Reporter
AT Least 40 people have been killed by wild animals countrywide since January this year, while several others were injured, as cases of human-wildlife conflict continue to escalate.
Most of the fatalities were recorded in communities near wildlife habitats where animals increasingly come into contact with humans after straying in search of food and water
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo said overpopulation of elephants and other surges in wildlife numbers, was increasing chances of human-wildlife contact.
Human-wildlife conflicts are expected to spike in the dry season as animals destroy their habitats and moving into areas where people live.
Mr Farawo said they were doing awareness campaigns to educate people on how they can reduce or prevent attacks.
People are not encouraged to move at night and provoking the animals.
“It is sad that we are losing more lives because of wild animals so we must protect ourselves. We are doing awareness campaigns around the country.
“Precautions must be taken because it is likely that we are going to lose more lives in this dry season because animals will be moving around from their game reserves to communities in search of food and water,” he said.
People have been advised to inform game rangers whenever they see wildlife near human settlements.
Wild animals are not only a threat to humans by way of attacks, but they also destroy people’s livelihoods.
Two weeks ago, two people died while others were seriously injured after being trampled by a stray elephant in the Chitekete area of Gokwe.
Elephants accounted for 50 percent of the killings followed by crocodiles at 40 percent, and lions and buffaloes at 10 percent respectively.
There are six animal species that are classified as dangerous animals in Zimbabwe, and they are listed in the ninth schedule of the Parks and Wildlife Act. These animals are buffaloes, elephants, hippos, leopards, lions and rhinoceros.
Wildlife conservation is equally under threat from poachers whose activities have become sophisticated over the years.
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