adminMarvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
VILLAGERS in several parts of Gwanda District are counting their losses as marauding hyenas are attacking their livestock, especially at night. Magedleni area in Gwanda North and Nhwali in Gwanda South are some of the affected areas.
Nkosana Ncube, a village head in Magedleni, told The Chronicle that hyenas were inflicting losses in their area as they pounced on their livestock, especially goats.
“We’ve lost so many goats to hyenas and this is worsening the famine situation we’re already facing in this district. We no longer know what else to do because these hyenas attack our goats while they’re in the pens at night,” said Ncube.
“Our fear is that if these animals aren’t dealt with, all our small livestock will be wiped out.”
Ncube said some villagers had resorted to providing some lighting at their pens at night to scare away the hyenas.
He said some of their animals have been attacked while grazing during the day.
“We appeal to the responsible authorities to intervene so that this problem doesn’t continue. We can’t afford to continue losing our livestock because we depend on them for survival since there’s drought this year,” said Ncube.
Some villagers said the drought situation, which has also affected wild animals, could be the reason why the hyenas are approaching villages targeting their livestock.
They said the attacks on their livestock had been reported to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Authority but they were awaiting a response.
No comment could be obtained immediately from the Wildlife Authority.
Online Reporter