Zimparks to act on human-wildlife conflict

Fungai Lupande Mash Central Bureau
THE Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority is committed to addressing the human-wildlife conflict in Mbire District in Mashonaland Central despite a shortage of resources. This comes after four cattle were attacked by lions in Ward 1 of Mbire recently.

Zimparks spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo said their rangers trekked the lions, but failed to locate them as their spoors showed they had crossed into Mozambique.

“We urge the community to protect their livestock,” he said. “After the farming season they let their cattle roam freely. This makes them a target for wild animals, especially lions because they don’t attack during the day.

“We also encourage the community to construct strong kraals. Some kraals are weak, thereby endangering their livestock. We urge the people to place a black plastic around their kraals so that lions don’t see what is inside. When there is an incident, the communities must notify us in time. We don’t have enough resources, but we will respond in the shortest time possible. We encourage the community to desist from scaring away wild animals.

“They must know the behaviour of animals. We cannot put a fence between animals and people, but they must live in harmony.”

Mashonaland Central police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Petros Masikati, urged communities never to scare off wild animals following a recent attack of a 32-year-old man in Mukonowenzou Village in Chitsungo, Mushumbi by a hippopotamus.

Asst Insp Masikati said Takura Hesani was guarding his maize field when a herd of hippopotamus entered the field.
“He went to check and he was attacked,” he said. “His wife notified other villagers and they scared off the herd. We strongly warn communities about the dangers of wild animals, it is dangerous to scare them away.”

Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement Minister Perrance Shiri said Zimparks should work together with the community to rectify the conflict.

Speaking in Mushumbi recently while distributing inputs under the Presidential Inputs Scheme, Minister Shiri urged the community to report to Zimparks and the police such incidents.

“This is Zimparks’ work,” he said. “If elephants are too many here, the Government will come up will solutions. People must not relocate or kill animals, but there must be harmony.”