Stray elephants destroy crops in Kwekwe

Zim Now Writer

A herd of stray elephants ravaging crops have been spotted in the outskirts of Kwekwe.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson, Tinashe Farawo said they dispatched rangers to drive away the herd.

“Yes, we have received the reports and we have rangers on the ground to assess the situation. We will be able to give further details after the assessment,” he said.

Department of Civil Protection chair for Kwekwe District Fortune Mpungu said rangers from Zibagwe Rural District Council and those from ZimParks were attending to the situation.

“There is a herd of elephants seen in Ward 1 Mopane Lozzane and Sultanan Areas. They are reportedly destroying crops in the area and we urge villagers there to avoid disturbing these animals as they can be dangerous,” Mpungu said.

Last year, authorities took down two elephants after a middle-aged man was trampled upon as he reportedly took selfies with one of the jumbos in the background.

Earlier this month, two elephants were shot dead after farmers lost their crops following 50 elephants that were camped in some wards in Bubi, Matabeleland North Province.

The worst affected areas were Kenilworth ward 19, Headquarters Ward 21, Nkenyane Ward 10 and surrounding areas where farmers lost almost their entire maize crop.

The elephants came from forestlands under the Forestry Commission in Gwamba and Debsharn.