Spectacle as stray jumbos gunned down in Beitbridge

A THRONG of Beitbridge residents on Monday swarmed a council farm along the Limpopo River after word spread that two stray elephants had been shot and killed by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) rangers.

Elders and children alike abandoned their morning routines, gripped by a mix of curiosity and excitement, as they rushed to the scene to catch a glimpse of the jumbos.

The elephants, majestic creatures rarely seen so close to human habitation, had wandered too near the town, triggering a swift response from ZimParks.

The spectacle drew everyone to the riverbank and some still in their pyjamas, hurried towards the site. When a Chronicle news crew arrived at the scene, the air was filled with a cacophony of murmured speculations and animated conversations.

The two elephants lay motionless on the sandy bank, their massive bodies a stark contrast to the serene flow of the Limpopo River behind them. The sheer size of the animals was both awe-inspiring and sombre, evoking a silent reverence from the onlookers.

With his eyes wide with a mix of fear and fascination, Mr Thabelo Mudau said it was his first time to see the elephant at close range. “This is my first time to see an elephant at close range. I am shocked at the size of it,” he said.

“Such a shame,” one woman at the scene said as she shook her head. “They were magnificent creatures.”
“But they were too close to the town. It was a matter of safety,” one man replied.

Some residents took out their phones, capturing the moment with photographs and videos, which they shared on social media.

For most people in Beitbridge, the day would be remembered not just for the excitement it brought, but also for the poignant reminder of the delicate balance between human life and wildlife.

“Elephants destroy crops and pose a danger to human life especially when they are angry. Now that these have been killed we feel safe, considering that most people in Beitbridge move around doing various economic activities,” said Miss Muvhuso Chibi of Khwalu 1 suburb.

“The risk of children being attacked by these elephants has also been eliminated by the killing of the animals. We commend the ZimParks rangers for a sterling job.”

Another resident, Mr Kudakwashe Chasauka who arrived at the scene soon after the elephants were killed said: “We should leave space for our wildlife so that we can peacefully co-exist. Elephants can cause significant damage to houses and property. These are wild animals and therefore unpredictable when they encounter people.”

Mr Chasauka urged ZimParks to conduct awareness campaigns to reduce cases of human-wildlife conflict.
In January this year, farmers at Khwalu irrigation scheme in Ward 11 of Beitbridge District were left counting losses after a herd of elephants destroyed their maize crop.

A few months ago, a six-year-old boy from Tshitulipasi and a 58-year-old woman from Lukange area in the district were attacked and killed by elephants.

Beitbridge town clerk, Mr Loud Ramakgapola said they alerted ZimParks after the elephants had camped at the farm for three months.

“We have bana grass that we have planted at our farm hence, usually, these elephants would come and go until now when they decided to camp, posing a threat to our farm workers,” he said.

“We have about 15 workers staying at the farm compound and we felt their lives were under threat from these animals, which is why we had to engage ZimParks. They shoot two of them and one of them managed to escape.”
ZimParks spokesperson, Mr Tinashe Farawo said the two jumbos were killed near the town council’s peri-urban farm.

“When human and wildlife conflict arises and the lives of humans are at risk, we are duty bound to act and hence we shot and killed the two elephants. They had become problem animals in the town, especially around the Beitbridge Municipality farm,” he said.

Mr Farawo urged people to report problem animals as soon as possible. Of late, elephants have become a headache for the local community as they stray into fields and damage crops and property.

Some of the elephants stray from neighbouring Botswana and South Africa along the Tuli basin which forms part of the Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area. Situated at the confluence of the Shashe and Limpopo Rivers, the Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area measures 5 909 km2 and encompasses areas in three countries – Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe.