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Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
POACHERS have killed an elephant in Mangwe District and cut off its tusks, triggering a manhunt headed by the local authority.
Mangwe Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer, Nketha Mangoye Dlamini said an elephant was on Monday found dead in a bushy area after being shot by suspected poachers.
He said an investigation had been launched to catch the culprits and prevent illegal hunting.
“An elephant was recently killed within the district and this is the first time that we’ve recorded such an incident. We’ve been recording minor hunting cases of locals who trap small game all along.
“This recent development is a cause for concern because we’ve large numbers of elephants that are roaming around the district in search of water points. If the activities of these poachers aren’t contained then it means more will be shot,’’ he said.
Dlamini said the elephants were coming from Bulilima District and Botswana.
He said the council was making efforts to roll out patrol teams comprising council workers and game scouts from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority to contain the situation.
He said passersby stumbled on the decomposing elephant’s carcass at a secluded spot on Monday.
‘“My office received the report on Monday after the carcass had been discovered in a bushy area. When we attended the scene the animal was already in a decomposed state which means the animal had been killed several days before it was seen. This could also mean that the culprits were long gone by the time the offence came to light.
“In the past we weren’t holding any patrols but we will now strengthen them as we’re taking particular focus on mainstreaming conservation within the district,’’ said Dlamini.
He said the culprits appeared to have cut off the trunk of the elephant using a chain saw before removing the tusks.
The local authority’s council chairperson, Roland Mafesi Ncube recently noted that they had introduced a wildlife conservancy programme where they are working towards turning the district into a tourism destination.
He said the council was engaged in a process of scouting for funding to set up a game boundary and other tourist attraction sights.
Ncube said the district was rich in wildlife and if fully exploited could boost revenue collection.
Mangwe’s neighbouring district, Bulilima has a Campfire programme which regulates use of natural resources such as wildlife.
Community members in the two districts have been continuously complaining of jumbos which are invading their villages.
The elephants would be searching for water and
food.
Online Reporter