Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
A LION has been spotted roaming along Chakari Road in Chegutu, prompting the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) to dispatch a reaction team and issue an urgent safety warning to residents.
ZimParks spokesperson, Mr Tinashe Farawo, confirmed the sightings and said the predator’s presence was verified through fresh spoors and loud roars heard in the area.
“A reaction team is actively tracking the animal after discovering spoors and hearing roars in the area,” he said. “We are urging members of the public to avoid bushy and isolated areas, particularly near open water sources early in the morning and at night.”
The sighting has raised alarm among residents, many of whom live near fields and open land. Authorities fear the animal could pose a serious threat to both people and livestock if not located quickly.
“Children and livestock should be closely supervised at all times,” said Mr Farawo. “This is a dangerous situation and we are treating it with the urgency it deserves.”
While no attacks have been reported so far, some residents have heard roars during the night and have reported missing goats and chickens, although these claims remain unverified.
ZimParks suspects the lion may have strayed from a nearby game reserve or wildlife corridor.
The incident adds to a growing number of human-wildlife conflict in rural and peri-urban Zimbabwe, often triggered by habitat loss and increasing encroachment into traditional animal ranges.
Mr Farawo urged the public to cooperate with wildlife authorities.
“We appeal to anyone who spots the animal or observes unusual activity to immediately report it to ZimParks teams on the ground,” he said.
The reaction team remains deployed in the area, and updates will be issued as the operation progresses.
