Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata-Herald Correspondent
SIXTY-TWO people were killed by wild animals in Zimbabwe last year as human-wildlife conflict cases surged sharply, with climate change, shrinking water sources and pressure on grazing land triggering dangerous encounters between communities and wildlife.
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) says incidents of human-wildlife conflict rose from 1 654 cases in 2024 to 2 090 in 2025, representing a 26 percent increase, while livestock losses more than doubled over the same period.
In a statement, ZimParks said the rising toll reflected worsening competition for scarce resources as climate change alters animal movement patterns and pushes wildlife into closer contact with human settlements.
Last year alone, 62 people were killed and 81 others injured in wildlife-related incidents, compared to 49 deaths and 90 injuries recorded in 2024.
Livestock losses climbed to 801 animals from 362 the previous year, dealing a heavy blow to rural livelihoods that depend on cattle, goats and donkeys for income, draught power and food security.
ZimParks said its response teams attended to more than 99 percent of reported incidents in both years, noting that the increase was driven by both heightened environmental pressure and improved reporting by communities.
“These figures underscore the urgency of scaling preventive measures, including early warning systems such as geofencing and the establishment of community conservancies,” reads the statement.
Hotspot districts for conflict included Kariba, Mbire, Chiredzi, Binga, Hwange, Hurungwe and Nyaminyami, areas that lie close to major wildlife corridors and protected parks.
Data analysis by ZimParks shows that hyenas, crocodiles and elephants remain the most frequently reported species involved in conflict incidents, with crocodile attacks often occurring along rivers and dams, while elephants and hyenas destroy crops, raid granaries and kill livestock.
ZimParks director-general Professor Edson Gandiwa said climate change has fundamentally reshaped ecosystem dynamics, requiring adaptive management approaches.
“Climate change has fundamentally impacted the dynamics of our ecosystems,” he said.
“Our responsibility is to adapt our management approaches while working closely with Government agencies, conservation partners and communities to reduce risk and build resilience.”
As part of its mitigation efforts, ZimParks neutralised 556 problem animals in 2025, while continuing to roll out community-based conservation programmes in high-risk areas.
The authority said community conservancies are strengthening local participation in wildlife monitoring and rapid response, while generating tangible economic benefits linked to conservation.
Ongoing interventions include awareness campaigns, community livelihood projects and the deployment of community guardians who alert authorities when wildlife encroaches into villages.
ZimParks and its partners are also supporting communities to build predator-proof kraals and bomas to protect livestock, as well as producing chilli bombs to deter animals from crop fields.
The authority also highlighted recent policy reforms aimed at supporting affected communities.
