adminSukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
VILLAGERS from Ndolwane and Makhulela areas in Bulilima District, Matabeleland South have lost eight beasts while several have gone missing from suspected lion attacks. Ndolwane councillor Ian Matiwaza said eight beasts had been found dead so far after being devoured by lions that invaded the area while several cattle belonging to villagers in his area where still missing. He said in a latest encounter some teenagers who were herding cattle came across a lion while it was feasting on a beast and they fled from the area. Clr Matiwaza said the first lion attack incident was reported on Sunday last week.
“Villagers are being terrorised by lions that are attacking beasts while they are grazing and drinking at Mabhongwane Dam. We suspect that there could be two lions because of the spoors that have been identified. Eight beasts have been found dead so far while there are about 10 beasts which are still missing and their owners have not located them but we suspect that they were also attacked by the lions,” he said.
Clr Matiwaza said they had alerted officials from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority who had since moved into the area and were now tracking down the animals. He said the lions could have come from Tsholotsho area.
“The first incident of the lion attacks was recorded on Sunday at Mabhongwane Dam where three cattle were attacked. When the dead cattle were found the lions had left the area. On Tuesday some teenagers were herding cattle in the area and they saw a beast being attack by one of the lions and they fled the scene,” he said.
Chief Masendu whose jurisdiction covers Ndolwane and Makhulela area said villagers were now living in fear that the lions could move closer to their homesteads. He said the two villages were located close to Mabhongwane Game Park which was connected to a section of Hwange National Park in Tsholotsho. Chief Masendu said villagers in the area were in the habit of taking their livestock to graze in Mabhongwane Game Park.
Online Reporter