Govt to evacuate lions

Masvingo Bureau
GOVERNMENT has announced plans to evacuate lions from Chiredzi River Conservancy where the cats are reportedly roaming freely, killing livestock and threatening the lives of thousands of people resettled around the area. The lions have been on the prowl killing cattle in parts of Bikita and Gutu. They have already claimed more than 20 cattle over the past two weeks after straying from the Chiredzi River conservancy whose fence was vandalised.

Masvingo provincial administrator Mr Felix Chikovo yesterday confirmed the development saying there was urgent need to remove the predatory animals from the sanctuary as they posed a constant threat to surrounding communities.

Mr Chikovo said the lions were now “marooned’’ on an area less than 2 000ha in the Chiredzi River conservancy after humans continued to encroach deep in their territory setting up settlements.

“We are currently engaging with officials from the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority to find out where and when we can relocate the lions from the Chiredzi River conservancy where large areas have now been settled by humans leaving the lions on a small “island” measuring about 2 000ha,” said Mr Chikovo.