NEW: Be on high alert, Zimparks tells communities

Online reporter

COMMUNITIES near game parks should always be extra vigilant to prevent attacks from wild animals, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo has said.

This comes after a buffalo escaped from a park in Bhikita, Masvingo province, and terrorised villagers for three days, including attacking two people, who have since been hospitalised.

“Residents living in communities near game parks are being warned to be extra vigilant following the escape of a buffalo from a nearby wildlife park which wreaked havoc in Gutu area in Masvingo province.

“As Zimparks, we urge residents to take extra caution and avoid moving at night as buffaloes and other animals from the wildlife park are known for travelling at night,” he said.

“The buffalo has reportedly been spotted and had already injured two people who have been hospitalised at a rural hospital.”

Buffaloes, he warned, are extremely dangerous.

Dwindling water supplies in parks, especially as the rainy season approaches, are forcing animals to stray from their habitats into human settlements.