Three die in Mbire elephant attacks

Daniel Chigunwe Herald Correspondent

Three people have been killed in Mbire district within a space of one week from three separate elephant attacks, as cases of human-wildlife conflict increase.

Clever Chisunga (52) of Chaukura village in Masoka, Spare Dzomba (45) and Mike Kamuchenga of Tengu village died following attacks by the marauding elephants since last week Thursday.

Mbire council chairperson Mr Ishmael Chaukura confirmed the incidents and said Simbainazvo Stanely (17) of Chapoto Ward 1 also succumbed to a snake bite yesterday.

“I can confirm the sad incidents that have occurred in our district of Mbire in the space of just four days where we have witnessed death of our kinsmen in cruel encounters with wildlife. It is so disheartening to bury so many bodies in so short a time,” said Mr Chaukura.

Mbire legislator Cde David Butau expressed concern over lack of permanent solutions to end human-wildlife conflict and called for expediting of the amendment to the Parks and Wildlife Act which will see provision of compensation to victims of human-wildlife conflict.

“We have lost four lives to wildlife and there is an outcry in the district over the continued loss of human life. So, as Parliamentarians we must accelerate the amendment of the Parks and Wildlife Act so that those families affected will be compensated,” he said.

“However, we need long-term measures to have a harmonious cohabitation of humans and animals in Mbire, this can be achieved by fully capacitating authorities in charge to conduct surveillance on animal movement as well as securing the use of technology in the form of drone patrols that coordinate with ground surveillance. So will be putting heads with responsible authorities to find means to end these daily tragedies for our people.”