adminPost Reporter
HYENAS are wreaking havoc and attacking livestock in Buhera prompting the district authorities to call officials from Parks and Wildlife to tame the marauding and vicious animals.
The district was quick to act following incidents in which a Muchuwa Primary School Grade 5 pupil Noria Musapukira lost an eye after being attacked by a hyena in Mutiusinazita, in Buhera South.
Four other villagers were also attacked by the same hyena were admitted to hospitals in Mutare and Murambinda.
Buhera Rural District Council chief executive officer Mrs Emily Chibvongodze, on Wednesday evening confirmed the re-emergence of the wild beasts, which she said have so far been attacking domestic animals.
Mrs Chibvongodze said they were working with officials from Parks and Wildlife to contain the situation in Wards 1, 5, 6, 32 and 19.
Mrs Chibvongodze said the team was using a truck donated by Goal, which had donated bulls in the district in a bid to improve the herd, to move from one area to the other.
“It is true that hyenas are wreaking havoc again. Reports indicate that they are attacking domestic animals, but our past experiences have taught us to act on time to contain the situation.
“These hyenas are roaming around during the day and are no longer confining themselves in mountains,” said Mrs Chibvongodze.
“We are working closely with officials from Parks and Wildlife, who are trying to contain the situation by trapping and poisoning these vicious animals. We are moving the personnel from one ward to another around the clock. Our past experience have forced us to be pro-active,” said Mrs Chibvongodze, making reference to the attack on 10 year-old Musapukira, who underwent emergency surgery at Parirenyatwa Hospital after losing an eye and the upper part of her thigh.
Her other eye has also been severely injured. She also sustained severe injuries on both hands as she tried to fight off the nocturnal animal.
The victim and her elder sister were coming from the market around 5.30pm when they saw something which they suspected to be a baboon, but they soon noticed that it was a dangerous animal when it made a laughing sound and started charging at them.
She is said to have fallen while trying to run away and the hyena pounced on her. Other villagers and passers-by ran to her rescue, but the damage had already been done. The same hyena also attacked four other people. The problem worsens during drought years.
Online Reporter