Moffat Mungazi
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
IN a welcome respite for villagers living under Chief Musikavanhu in Chipinge District, Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority culled five marauding elephants that were wreaking havoc in the area.
The elephants, which were causing significant problems in Ward 20 by straying into irrigation schemes and damaging vital infrastructure and crops, were humanely put down last Saturday.
The culling provided an unexpected boon for the local community, with over 5 000 villagers benefiting from the distribution of the elephant meat, while the ivory and hides were retained by the authorities.
The incident highlights the escalating human-wildlife conflict in Manicaland, with numerous cases reported in Chipinge, Buhera, and Mutare districts.
Local communities are increasingly calling on Government to take action, specifically urging game reserve owners at Save Conservancy to enhance security measures and prevent animals such as elephants, lions, and buffaloes from escaping and causing destruction in nearby villages.
The verdant landscapes of Chipinge and Buhera irrigation schemes and lush greenery is proving to be a significant attractant, particularly for elephants.
Furthermore, the presence of lions in the area has resulted in devastating losses for local livestock farmers, as the big cats prey on unsuspecting livestock.
ZimParks spokesperson, Mr Tinashe Farawo said the killing of the elephants is part of the authority’s population management exercise which is initially targeting 50 elephants.
He said the Save Conservancy has exceeded its elephant carrying capacity leading to the translocation of 200 to other areas.
“Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has issued permits to Save Valley Conservancy for an elephant management exercise. The management quota is meant to address the growing elephant population in the region and will initially target 50 elephants,” he said, adding that the 2024 aerial survey showed that there were 2 550 elephants against an ecological carrying capacity of 800 elephants in the conservancy.
Over the past five years, the conservancy translocated 200 elephants to Hurungwe and Sapi in an effort to manage the elephant population and protect the wildlife habitat.
He said elephant meat from the management exercise will be distributed to local communities, while ivory will be State property that will be handed over to the ZimParks for safekeeping.
“We remain committed to responsible sustainable management of wildlife resources for the benefit of present and future generations,” said Mr Farawo.Chipinge Rural District Council Ward 20 representative, Councillor Edmore Mabika said each household received a 2kg share of elephant meat, while lamenting the rising cases of stray wild animals.
“ZimParks brought five elephant carcasses for the community to share last Saturday. We distributed the meat to over 5 000 people, with each person receiving about 2kg. Although there were isolated stampede incidents towards the end, the distribution process went on smoothly,” he said.
Councillor Mabika expressed concern over the increasing human-wildlife conflict in the area.
“We are experiencing a rise in human-wildlife conflict as animals stray from the Save Conservancy into our communities. While we are encouraged to coexist with wild animals, they damage our irrigation schemes, spread diseases to our cattle, and injure or kill people,” he said.
Councillor Mabika said irrigation schemes like Chibuwe and Musikavanhu are targeted by wild animals seeking green plants.
“Problematic animals include elephants, buffaloes, lions, crocodiles, and hippos. Several people have been killed by crocodiles, while others lost their limbs,” he said.
Online Reporter