Victoria Falls Rainforest Reopens After Elephant Incursion

 

Munyaradzi Blesssing Doma

The Victoria Falls Rainforest has reopened to the public after a temporary closure triggered by the presence of two elephants inside the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority said the rainforest was closed for approximately two and a half hours as a precautionary safety measure while teams monitored the animals and guided them out of the area.

ZimParks spokesperson Luckmore Safuli said authorities initially received reports of one elephant but later established that two animals had entered the rainforest.

“Both animals have since been moved away from the Rainforest, and the area has been assessed and declared safe for public access,” Safuli said.

He said normal operations had resumed, allowing visitors to return to the popular tourist attraction.

ZimParks is also carrying out repairs to sections of the rainforest that were damaged during the incident.

The authority thanked visitors, tourism stakeholders and members of the public for their patience and cooperation during the temporary closure.

Safuli said ZimParks remained committed to ensuring public safety while promoting the conservation and sustainable management of Zimbabwe’s wildlife heritage.