Woman fights for life after lion attack

A 55-year-old woman from Khwale village, located under Chief Gambu in Ward 16, Tsholotsho, is fighting for her life at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo after being brutally attacked by a stray lion from Hwange National Park.

Violet Sibanda, the victim, was attacked on Thursday approximately 700 meters from her home. According to Ward 16 Councillor Isaac Moyo, the lion suddenly appeared and viciously attacked Sibanda, targeting her neck area. The savage attack left her throat severely injured, and she sustained multiple wounds across her body.

Despite the overwhelming assault, Sibanda reportedly fought back, managing to strangle the lion after it tripped her. The lion eventually fled, but not before causing significant damage to her body. Her screams alerted villagers, who rushed to the scene, but the lion was not found. Sibanda was quickly transported to the local clinic and then transferred to Mpilo Hospital due to the severity of her injuries.

Moyo expressed his concern over the rising frequency of such incidents, urging the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA) to intervene and assist with Sibanda's hospital bills. Sibanda has no relatives nearby, and she was accompanied to Bulawayo by a neighbor.

The Tsholotsho Rural District Council (RDC) has been informed of the attack and has mobilized game rangers to track down the lion. However, the animal has not yet been located. Moyo emphasized the need for financial assistance from the ZPWMA, given the lack of support available to Sibanda's family.

Tsholotsho RDC Chairperson Rophus Ndlovu expressed his sorrow over the incident and highlighted the seasonal challenges faced by communities near Hwange National Park. "At this time of year, animals leave the national parks in search of food and water, which often leads to increased contact with human settlements," Ndlovu said. He also mentioned that just a week ago, a resident in Ward 21 had been attacked by a hippopotamus, further stressing the dangers posed by wildlife.

Ndlovu noted that the RDC has a Problematic Animal Control program in place, where rangers respond to reports of wildlife-related incidents. In cases where animals pose a direct threat to human lives, rangers are authorized to drive the animals back to the park or, in more extreme situations, to euthanize them.

ZPWMA spokesperson Tinashe Farawo confirmed that their team is already on the ground to address the situation. "We are conducting awareness campaigns to educate the community on how to handle wildlife encounters. Most importantly, we want to discourage people from moving around at night, especially in areas where animals are known to roam," Farawo said.

As Sibanda continues to fight for her life, the community remains on high alert, hoping for swift action from authorities to prevent further attacks.