Online Reporter
Peter Matika, [email protected]
A MASSIVE search operation for a Bulawayo man feared to have been attacked by a crocodile at Mpopoma Dam in Matobo National Park entered its seventh day on Thursday with teams combing both land and water in a desperate bid to locate him.
The man reportedly disappeared after being attacked by the ferocious reptile while fishing at the dam last week, in yet another chilling case of human-wildlife conflict.
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson, Mr Luckmore Safuli, said the search team remains on high alert and continues to patrol the area extensively.
“The search operation for a client who was reportedly attacked by a crocodile is still ongoing, and today marks the seventh day of the search operation,” said Mr Safuli.
“A search team has, for the past few days, been searching for the missing person and the crocodile that attacked him. The search team remains on the ground and is conducting extensive patrols both on land and in the water in an effort to establish the whereabouts of the missing person,” he said.
The victim’s identity has not yet been officially released, while family members have continued to reserve comment as hope of finding him alive continues to fade.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Republic Police confirmed the incident, stating that a man died after being attacked by a crocodile while fishing at Mpopoma Dam on May 1, 2026.
Police have since urged members of the public to avoid unnecessary movement near dangerous water bodies and to exercise extreme caution in wildlife-infested areas.
Mr Safuli also warned tourists and communities living near rivers and dams to strictly adhere to safety regulations issued by park officials.
“ZimParks urges members of the public and tourists to exercise maximum caution when visiting areas known to be inhabited by dangerous wildlife, particularly near rivers and other water bodies where crocodiles are commonly found,” he said.
“We also like to urge the public to always follow the safety instructions provided by guides and park officials.”
Wildlife experts say crocodiles are among Africa’s most feared predators, capable of remaining motionless beneath the water for long periods before launching sudden attacks with devastating force.
