Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
Access to the Victoria Falls Rainforest has been temporarily restricted after an elephant was reported freely roaming the area.
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) says it is implementing the precautionary measure to protect visitors, staff and wildlife.
In a statement, ZimParks spokesperson, Mr Luckmore Safuli, said the restriction would remain in place while wildlife management teams monitored the situation and worked to ensure the area was safe for the public.
“Access to the Victoria Falls Rainforest has been temporarily restricted following reports of an elephant active in the area,” said Mr Safuli.
“The restriction has been instituted as a precautionary measure to safeguard visitors, staff and wildlife and to reduce the risk of human-wildlife conflict.”
He urged the public to stay away from the restricted area and warned against approaching the elephant or interfering with ongoing wildlife management operations.
“The public is urged not to enter the restricted area, approach the elephant, or interfere with ongoing wildlife management efforts,” he said.
Mr Safuli also called on visitors and tour operators to comply with instructions issued by Zimparks personnel and other authorities on site.
“All visitors and tour operators are further advised to comply with instructions issued by Zimparks personnel and other relevant authorities on site,” he said.
The Victoria Falls Rainforest, located within the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site, is one of Zimbabwe’s premier tourist attractions, offering visitors spectacular vantage points of the iconic Victoria Falls.
Sustained by the constant spray from the Zambezi River as it plunges over the falls, the rainforest supports a unique ecosystem of lush vegetation and diverse wildlife.
The attraction draws thousands of local and international tourists each year and is a key pillar of Victoria Falls’ tourism industry.
Victoria Falls, locally known as Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning “The Smoke That Thunders”, straddles the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia and is recognised as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
