Zimparks dismisses rumours of rogue lion in Masvingo

Zim Now Writer

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority has dismissed allegations of a lion seen on the outskirts of Masvingo on Friday morning.

Zimparks spokesperson, Tinashe Farawo refuted the claims of a solitary lion allegedly sighted near Rujeko Suburb in Masvingo.

“We dispatched a team to look for the predator and we found nothing. Our team is back. We can’t find the workers who made the report to the councillor".

This follows circulating WhatsApp messages from Ward 10 Councillor Sengerai Manyanga, cautioning residents about a lion purportedly seen on the outskirts of Rujeko and Eastvale.

In the circulated statement, Councillor Manyanga had warned residents from various suburbs, including Aminas, Johane Masowe, Eastvale, Hellen McGhie, Lower Eastvale, Sewage Works, and Rujeko, to remain cautious and vigilant due to the alleged lion sighting

Farawo has assured that Zimparks quickly dispatched a team to investigate, with their search yielding no evidence of the reported predator.

Despite the initial concerns raised, authorities have not corroborated the reported lion sighting, urging residents to remain calm and vigilant while they continue monitoring the situation closely.

Human Wildlife Conflict is a challenge which calls for urgent attention.

In a research conducted by the Zimbabwe Environmental Lawyers Association, between 2016 and 2021 HWC cases increased by a magnitude of nearly 300 percent - from 619 to 1598.

In 2021, a total of 72 lives were lost to human wildlife conflicts.