News / Regional
Lions wreaks havoc eTsholotsho
12 Nov 2014 at 19:48hrs | Views
TSHOLOTSHO villagers in Sipepa area are living in fear of five stray lions who are wrecking havoc and have reportedly devoured a cow.
Sipepa village herdman Norman Ncube said the pride of one male, one female and three cubs strayed early this month and a number of villagers have so far lost cattle and donkeys.
"The lions are in the habit of attacking livestock in Gwenga area in line 3 under Chief Matupula area and most villagers are concerned about that," said Ncube.
He said although there have not been any reported cases where the lions have attacked people, villagers were living in fear of being targeted.
"We are living in fear that if something is not done to take the lions back to the national park, the stray big cats will end up preying on human beings," said Ncube.
He said the animals were also a threat to children, "particularly those who walk long distances to school."
Ncube said the matter has since been reported to the police and they promised to alert ZimParks officials.
Another villager in the area, Prentice Ndlovu said he lost a cow while his neighbour last week lost a goat.
"Most villagers are afraid of losing their livestock and some are resorting to keeping the animals in their kraals for a better part of the day," said Ndlovu.
He said they hoped that something could be done before any loss of life.
"Usually most authorities respond to such calls when a life has been lost, we hope this time around it is not the case. It can be avoided by all means," said Ndlovu.
A comment could not be immediately be obtained from ZimParks, who said they are yet to investigate the matter.
While Tsholotsho villagers accepted the Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (Campfire) in a bid to foster animal and environmental conservation at grassroots, villagers have little to show for cohabiting wild ravaging wild beasts like lions and elephants.
Every year elephants destroy crops, destroy the natural vegetation, deplete and sometimes destroy local water sources and injure the villagers.
Sipepa village herdman Norman Ncube said the pride of one male, one female and three cubs strayed early this month and a number of villagers have so far lost cattle and donkeys.
"The lions are in the habit of attacking livestock in Gwenga area in line 3 under Chief Matupula area and most villagers are concerned about that," said Ncube.
He said although there have not been any reported cases where the lions have attacked people, villagers were living in fear of being targeted.
"We are living in fear that if something is not done to take the lions back to the national park, the stray big cats will end up preying on human beings," said Ncube.
He said the animals were also a threat to children, "particularly those who walk long distances to school."
Ncube said the matter has since been reported to the police and they promised to alert ZimParks officials.
Another villager in the area, Prentice Ndlovu said he lost a cow while his neighbour last week lost a goat.
"Most villagers are afraid of losing their livestock and some are resorting to keeping the animals in their kraals for a better part of the day," said Ndlovu.
He said they hoped that something could be done before any loss of life.
"Usually most authorities respond to such calls when a life has been lost, we hope this time around it is not the case. It can be avoided by all means," said Ndlovu.
A comment could not be immediately be obtained from ZimParks, who said they are yet to investigate the matter.
While Tsholotsho villagers accepted the Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (Campfire) in a bid to foster animal and environmental conservation at grassroots, villagers have little to show for cohabiting wild ravaging wild beasts like lions and elephants.
Every year elephants destroy crops, destroy the natural vegetation, deplete and sometimes destroy local water sources and injure the villagers.
Source - Radio Dialogue
