A FISHING expedition in Lake Kariba by three women ended in tragedy, after one of them was trampled to death by an elephant.

The unfortunate incident happened in the Charara area.

Sinai Mpofu had gone fishing with two other women and on their way back home, a  rogue  elephant emerged from the thicket sending the trio scampering in different directions.

Provincial Police Spokesman, Inspector Ian Kohwera, said Mpofu was coming from Lake Kariba in the company of Mercy Binga,43, of Nyamhunga and Peggy Matesanwa,42, also of Nyamhunga.

“They ran in different directions and the Jumbo followed Mpofu and attacked her with its task several times and she fell down.

“It trampled her to death and disappeared into the bush in full view of Binga and Matesanwa who watched from a distant of about 200 metres,” said Kohwera.

Kohwera said it was a sad incident and the police continue to urge the people staying within game reserves do develop co- existing elements with the wild animals and to be vigilant always as chances of being attacked by them are high.

National Parks and Wildlife Management spokesman, Tinashe Farawo also shared the same details.

“ It’s very sad that we continue to lose lives in human-wildlife conflicts. After we received the sad news, we tracked the elephant and managed to eliminate the problem animal.

“But we continue to encourage residents to take heed of our warnings,” said Farawo.

He added:

“When we go out doing our awareness campaigns, residents must take heed of our warnings. They must listen to our warnings when we do our educational awareness campaigns,” said Farawo.

He also discouraged residents from walking along bushy paths, especially well known elephant pathways and corridors.

“This is the problem that we are facing.”

When we do our awareness campaigns some might not take us seriously but please take heed so that we can protect different lives,” he said. – (@H-Metro)