Lions kill 73 goats, 25 cattle in Binga

Whinsley Masara, Chronicle Reporter
STRAY lions have killed 73 goats and 25 cattle in three months in Binga.

Affected villagers said they had been driven into poverty as the wild animals plundered their stores of wealth.

Villagers said they feared for their animals as the lions were becoming increasingly daring.

Since April, lions have been straying into about three villages in Sinansengwe Ward, under Chief Sinansengwe.

Chief Sinansengwe said the lions could soon start attacking people as they had virtually wiped out livestock.

“Last week, I personally lost five goats in one night. The situation has gone from bad to worse and I don’t even know how to console my villagers as I am equally affected,” said Chief Sinansengwe.

“We’ve failed to drive wildlife out of our villages and this time we are bound to lose human lives. Although lions have always been problematic in our wards, especially in winter, this year the problem has gone beyond the usual.”

Sinansengwe Ward Councillor Elmon Mudenda said they reported the matter to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority in April but when the rangers came to the area, the lions disappeared.

“They reappeared after the rangers had left. We can hardly sleep at night as we fear for our lives,” said Clr Mudenda.

“About 32 goats and eight cattle were killed in two weeks in Chitete Village. Although this is a common occurrence as it happens every year, this time the lions have come in full force, killing seven to 12 goats in one kraal on a single night.”

Last month, hyenas wreaked havoc in Kariyangwe area, Binga, killing more than 30 goats and sheep in one night.

Chief Siansali said some parents had stopped their children from attending school, fearing for their lives following the attacks.

Meanwhile, Zimparks acting spokesperson Mr Simukai Nyasha said last Monday rangers managed to tranquilise a female lion that had been killing livestock in the Mabale Communal area near Hwange National Park.

“The lioness was successfully darted and captured by a team comprising Zimparks Rangers and members of the Dete Animal Rescue Trust (D.A.R.T.).”

“As from May 28, 2017, the team had been responding day and night to every lion report received from the Mabale area and tracking the problem lions.

Mounting evidence indicated that one particular lioness, acting entirely on her own, had embarked on a livestock-killing spree. In less than a month, Zimparks received reports that the lioness had killed a total of 36 goats and 4 calves.

“The actions of this lioness had become bolder, stalking prey between homesteads and starting to kill livestock during daylight hours thus increasing risk to human life, particularly young children walking to and from school or out playing in the fields.

“Currently the lioness is being held in a temporary holding facility in Hwange National Park while preparations are being made for her relocation and release deep in the Hwange National Park. The lioness will be fitted with a satellite tracking collar for future monitoring purposes,” Mr Nyasha said. — @winnie_masara.