Vusumuzi Dube
Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Reporter
TWO suspected poachers were shot and killed in a shootout with Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (Zimparks) at Bubye Valley Conservancy in Matabeleland South province on Tuesday.
Zimparks spokesperson, Mr Tinashe Farawo confirmed the incident.
“We are currently investigating a shooting incident, which happened yesterday, 20 August in Bubye Valley Conservancy, where our game rangers went on a patrol and there was an armed contact with two people who then died
“We managed to recover some spent cartridges, ammunition and a 375 rifle. We are saying to people they should not go into protected areas. They should also not go for criminal activities in these protected areas. On Tuesday our officers were left with no option but to defend their lives,” said Mr Farawo.
In March, two suspected poachers were also shot dead in Katombola, near the Kazungula Border Post in Matabeleland North province, while three other suspects were arrested.
The two incidents evokes memories of the recent poaching of six elephants in the Gwayi-Shangani Conservancy, which was a reminder of the barbaric poisoning of over 80 elephants in 2013 in the Hwange National Park, Southern Africa’s largest game reserve.
Continued poaching could result in a significant decline of wildlife populations and in the process threaten wildlife-driven economies, including tourism.
@nyeve14
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter