70 people killed in wild animal attacks

Sunday Mail Reporter

SEVENTY people were killed by wildlife in Zimbabwe last year, with elephants and crocodiles accounting for most of the casualties.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo said an equal number of people were also injured in incidents of human-wildlife conflict.

“We witnessed an increase in incidents of human and wildlife conflict, especially last year,” said Mr Farawo.

“We lost more than 70 lives in 2021 and almost the same number of people were injured throughout the country.

“We are having too many problem animals, which include elephants and crocodiles that are responsible for more than 90 percent of the injuries or deaths.”

He said ZimParks was undertaking an awareness campaign to educate the public about animal behaviour.

“We are saying to the communities do not provoke these animals, give them space, let them move freely and stay away from them. Whenever people encounter these animals, they must alert us and give as much information as possible.”

Most cases of conflict were reported in areas such as Tsholotsho, Hwange, Mbire, Guruve, Chiredzi and Chipinge.

Animals are also destroying people’s crops.