Vusumuzi Dube
As the El-Nino-induced drought takes its toll, baboons are invading homesteads, destroying utensils and granaries as they search for food and water.
The human-wildlife conflicts in the district have escalated as a result of the drought, which has disrupted food systems in the wild, leaving the baboons without other survival options but to raid residential properties.
Binga Rural District Council social services officer Lovemore Siamuyi confirmed the development on Friday saying; “Yes, this is a challenge in Binga as baboons no longer have access to food in the forests as water sources have dried up and indigenous fruits scotched by the ravaging drought.”
He said people who left doors and windows of their houses open were worsening the problem, adding such people were mainly new Binga residents who did not understand animal behaviour and how to coexist with wildlife. The other culprits were young children who threw food stuff anywhere at their homesteads, attracting the baboons in the process, he said.
Siamuyi however dismissed as sensational reports that the baboons were snatching food from children’s mouths. “This has not been substantiated although hungry baboons are on the rampage invading people’s homes,’’ he said.
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) head of corporate communications, Tinashe Farawo acknowledged the baboons challenge, adding that it was happening in most locations adjacent to protected areas throughout the country.
“Due to drought effects, human-wildlife conflicts have increased. The Binga issue is one such case,” he said. Farawo said there was need to raise awareness among people on good waste management practices.
“People should not throw leftover food everywhere as this attracts baboons to scavenge for the food. This is being worsened by the ravaging effects of the ongoing drought.”
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Bongani Ndlovu