Rutendo Nyeve
WILD animals, including elephants, buffaloes and hippos, are increasingly invading residential areas and the Central Business District (CBD) of Victoria Falls, destroying infrastructure and vegetation as they venture out of drying national parks in search of food and water.
The incursions have become particularly noticeable during the evening and at night, raising fears of escalating human-wildlife conflict in the resort city.
The animals have been spotted mainly in low-density suburbs and the CBD, where they are attracted by readily available food and water sources.
Elephants have been uprooting trees and damaging infrastructure as they forage for food, with mango trees bearing fruit proving particularly attractive.
Buffaloes and hippos, meanwhile, are drawn to green grass in residential areas, especially on watered lawns and in vegetable gardens.
The increasing presence of wildlife in human settlements has heightened concerns over residents’ safety, with some encounters reportedly resulting in injuries and, in certain cases, fatalities.
Residents have been urged to exercise extreme caution, particularly at night, and to avoid approaching or confronting the animals.
Conservation authorities are monitoring the situation, but the challenge is expected to persist as the dry conditions reduce the availability of natural food and water sources in surrounding parks.
Wildlife experts say animals often venture closer to human settlements during periods of scarcity, increasing the risk of dangerous encounters for both people and wildlife.
Stakeholders are calling for strengthened human-wildlife coexistence measures, including improved waste management, community awareness campaigns and practical interventions to reduce encounters between animals and residents.
