Elephant tramples Binga man to death

A 70-YEAR-OLD Binga man was trampled to death by an elephant, which had strayed from Hwange National Park, as cases of human-wildlife conflict continue to rise in Matabeleland North province.

The incident happened on Sunday evening, under chief Siachilaba in Makwa village.

The deceased has been identified as Godwin Mudimba.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) spokesperson, Tinashe Farawo confirmed the incident, saying rangers were tracking down the elephant.
"The old man was trampled on Sunday evening at around 6pm," he said.

"It was an unfortunate incident and our animal control rangers are on the ground, tracking the animal and once it is found, they will put it down, as it is now classified as a problem animal.

"Mudimba was walking from his maize field, going to his homestead and, as he was close to his home, he met a large herd of elephants and immediately, one of them spotted him. Before he could flee, it charged towards him and trampled him to death."

Cases of human-wildlife conflict have been on the increase in Hwange and Binga districts, with villagers demanding the government compensates them for the loss of lives, crops and livestock.

Villagers in Chief Mvuthu's area last week claimed they had lost 1 343 domestic animals to hyenas, jackals and lions in the past eight months.