Zim human-wildlife conflict continues to rise . ....

Zim human-wildlife conflict continues to rise . . . as hyena bites off woman’s hand, toe

Audrey Galawu

In Zimbabwe, unlike in other African countries, elephant conservation efforts have been successful with a 55 increase every year.

The surge in numbers has also increased the chances of human-animal contact.

The country is also witnessing a spike in incidences of deadly elephant attacks, while on the other hand, farmers complain over the destruction of their crops.

According to government statistics, around 10 people are killed every month by elephants, with 60 people already killed by elephants since the start of 2022.

With 100 000 specimens, Zimbabwe has the second largest elephant population in the world after Botswana, representing about a quarter of the elephants in Africa.

Meanwhile, government has established a relief fund to cushion victims of human-wildlife aimed at catering for hospital expenses and funeral cover.

Speaking during a post-Cabinet on Tuesday Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said payments will cover three categories: death, maiming, and injuries emanating from human-wildlife conflict.

She added that government was implementing, through Zimparks, a coterie of interventions aimed at reducing human-wildlife conflict.

She added that a specialised human-wildlife conflict unit will be established under Zimparks.

“Cabinet wishes to highlight that as a result of its successful conservation programs, the country’s increasing human and wildlife populations have led to competition between humans and wildlife.

“Through the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks), we will be implementing interventions to reduce human-wildlife conflict. The measures include conservation education in the use of barriers, translocation and selective culling of wildlife and fencing to restrict or control the movement of wildlife.

“The consequent competition for limited resources often results in attacks on humans, especially in communal areas and towns that are close to national parks, safaris and forests,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

The minister noted that the rise has been attributed to Cites restrictive measures on the trade in raw ivory.

These include conservation education in the use of barriers, translocation, sterilisation and selective culling of wildlife, approved hunting quotas and fencing to restrict and control the movement of wildlife.

In related news, a 38-year-old woman from Gutu, Joyce Marutaya, last Wednesday lost her left hand and big toe of the left leg after being attacked by a hyena.

Marutaya said she had gone to water vegetables in her garden when the incident occurred.

She said soon after entering the garden, she noticed the hyena busy tearing into a worn-out bomber jacket a few metres away.

“I realised something was amiss because the animal was behaving strangely and I immediately crouched to avoid being spotted, but as soon as it was through with the jacket, it strolled towards the garden entrance and I knew it was coming for me.

“I dashed to grab a hoe to try and defend myself but as I turned soon after picking it up, the hyena was upon me, tearing into my left hand,” she said.

Marutaya said the hyena is suspected to be the same that had caused chaos the previous night attacking cattle belonging to Marutaya’s neighbours, who found their livestock mauled around their mouths and noses.