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Manicaland Correspondents
A STRAY elephant trampled and killed a 61-year-old man at Save Humani Conservancy in the Middle Sabi, Chipinge, on New Year’s Day. Wilson Mwahupiwa Mapakawe was killed while herding cattle in the Chibuwe-Murovhati area while in the company of Samuel Mudemu, who managed to escape from the attack.
Police confirmed the incident.
“We received a report that two men, Wilson Mwahupiwa Mapakawe and Samuel Mudemu were attacked by elephants while herding cattle along Save River,” said police spokesperson Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa.
“Mudemu managed to escape, but the old man was attacked. We are still investigating the matter.”
Zimparks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo expressed concern over cases of human-elephant conflicts that are resulting in loss of human life.
Mr Farawo urged the communities to stay away from wild animals as they were dangerous.
“We experienced an increased number of elephants in Save (conservancy) over the years,” he said.
“The area is supposed to sustain about 5 000 elephants and we are sitting on more than 13 000, meaning we have doubled the number.”
Mr Farawo said nearly 100 people have died in human-wildlife conflict since 2010 as wild animals continue encroaching into communities.
He said National Parks and Wildlife had resorted to moving 100 elephants from Gonarezhou to Hurungwe to reduce the number of animals in the area.
Narrating events of the fateful day, Mudemu said: “Mapakawe decided to rest his children from herding the cattle as they had to celebrate the New Year’s Day. I accompanied him to the grazing lands along Save River close to the game reserve. I was also herding my cattle.
“At around noon we decided to drive our herd home so that we celebrate the New Year with others.
“While we were looking for other cattle that had strayed, an elephant suddenly appeared from the conservancy and charging towards us. Within a few metres the elephant trampled Mapakawe dragging him on the ground.
“I managed to run away and cross Save River where I called for help from other villagers.
“They reacted swiftly and attended the scene, but it was too late since he was already dead.”
Online Reporter