Leopard wreaks havoc on Chakonda farms

Collette Mukome
FARMERS in Chakonda in Mutare District are living in perpetual fear after a leopard attacked and killed 13 goats and injured several others. One of the affected farmers Mrs Ellinah Mvundura told The Manica Post that at first they thought it was a hyena until they reported the incident to the Mutare National Wildlife and Parks who told them it was the wild cat.

“The wild cat attacked and killed 13 goats. It opened a deep wound on the neck and sucked the blood.
“Last Friday the leopard descended on another homestead, and luckily they knew it was on the prowl, so when they heard some noise they went out to investigate, and spotted the wild cat escaping from the kraal,” said Mrs Mvundura. Chakonda area is largely made up of farmers with plots which are located in the mountainous Imbeza area. The plot holders rely mostly on goat farming.

“Most of us are involved in goat projects and the leopard is a threat to our projects. It is also a threat to human life and we fear that our workers may be attacked while rearing goats or as they try to rescue the goats,” said Mrs Mvundura.

“I want also to raise awareness to every citizen who is around that area that there is a dangerous wild cat. People should move in groups armed or help each other when they hear some noises.”
Mrs Mvundura has 72 goats.

“I consider this leopard a threat to the success of our goat projects and I would like to appeal to the parks authority to track down this animal so that it ceases to be a danger to human life as well as our thriving projects. The wildlife and parks should help us by killing the animal,” she added.
She complained that she was referred from one parks office to the other despite the danger posed by the animal to their community.

“I approached them in Mutare and was referred to their counterparts at Osborne Dam, who also told me to approach their counterparts in Nyanga saying they are the ones with a special vehicle to transport such animals,” said Mrs Mvundura.
Parks officials from Nyanga promised to act on the matter.