Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura-Mutare Bureau
HUMAN-wildlife conflict continues to intensify in parts of Manicaland Province, with communities in Chipinge and Buhera districts increasingly coming into contact with dangerous wild animals straying from the Save Valley Conservancy in neighbouring Masvingo Province.
A lioness from a pride that has reportedly been terrorising villagers in Ward 20, Chibuwe area, was shot and killed by Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority rangers stationed at Middle Sabi in Chipinge District earlier this week.
The animal was killed in the Mutovhori area in the early hours of Thursday following reports that the pride had been roaming close to homesteads and attacking livestock, including cattle and goats.
Residents say the lions have created fear within the community, with concerns that attacks could escalate to human beings if the animals fail to find livestock.
Chipinge Rural District Council Ward 20 Councillor Edmore Mabika confirmed the incident.
He said communities were living in constant fear as wild animals continued to stray into villages.
“There is a pride of lions moving around the area. They are attacking our livestock. We reported the case to ZimParks and their rangers responded promptly and managed to shoot one of the lions.
“We are living in fear of these animals because if they do not find domestic animals to attack they will attack human beings.
“The Save Valley Conservancy perimeter fence is damaged and porous. Wild animals freely move into communities in Buhera and Chipinge districts.”
