Stray lion wreaks havoc

Plumtree Correspondent
SOME villagers in parts of Bulilima District have lost livestock to a stray lion which is roaming the place.
The lion whose spoor was spotted in Thekwane Village a fortnight ago attacked five cattle at Phumuza Village recently. A ZimParks worker in the district said efforts were under way to track down the lion.
“Attempts to track down the lion in order to kill it are under way.
“The process requires professional hunters.

“We first received a report two weeks ago when the lion’s prints were spotted in Thekwane Village.
“A week later the animal passed through Gwambe area and later moved to Phumuza Village where it attacked five cattle.
“So far that is the only harm that has been reported and we hope to contain the situation before further damage,” said the ranger.
Villagers urged authorities to move swiftly to trap the lion.

“We now fear for our safety because it appears the animal is roaming around the district.
“At first it just passed through without causing any harm and now it is attacking our livestock and who knows what it will attack next?” said Mr Sebastian Sithole of Phumuza Village.

Bulilima District chief executive officer, Mr John Brown Ncube recently said ZimParks had confirmed the spoor was a lion’s.
He noted that the local authority realised the urgent need to track down the animal and ascertain its whereabouts to assure villagers’ safety.

Meanwhile, the elephant invasion which was reported in the district a few weeks ago has spilled into neighbouring district, Mangwe.
The animals which crossed over to the district through Izimnyama area were recently seen by people in Macingwane area, Mangwe.