Protect us and you successfully protect your lions

We have heard cases of people who are mauled by some stray lion and stomped by an elephant the most recent one being the Victoria Falls incident. In all cases, the National Parks authorities have appeared to be composed even after these ghastly happenings.

 A child died after being attacked by a lion a month ago or so in Dete and the way some people commented made me wish it wasn't illegal to shake someone's teeth off their gums, not that I would do it. I believe that someone in the National Parks administration is slouching in abeyance and not making sure that these animals stay away from people and yes, their livestock. When confronted with the problem of the recent high animal risk in places surrounded by the parks area, these people are quick to remind us that there was a security fence that bordered the National Parks area and prevented the animals from getting out.

They tell us that people from the locale cut the wires and so they should not complain because they set off their calamity. I feel that it is insulting to assert that it is justified that a child should be mauled down by a lion because three generations ago, someone stole the security fence. Are the wildlife authorities that insensitive that they might take the life of a person to be like a fly's and are they righteous enough to teach us a practical lesson on karma? Well, I think they are, that and more! It is clear from the way they have been reacting to these incidents that to them, conserving animals is better than protecting humans.

Conservation is a laudable act of morality that we all should be involved in but I have a problem with the way through which it is accomplished. If I was to run over a painted dog, and be caught; I would get about fourteen years in prison. If, on the converse, a painted dog made a feast off my goat, I wouldn't as much as get a penny, I would be told to watch over my livestock and seal all the large gaps beneath the kraal and even consider building a house for my goats. I am not saying we should declare war on wildlife but am just trying to be reasonable.

These so called conservationists are heartless; they are too drunk with preserving nature and wildlife without regard for human welfare. What they should know is that people can only take so much abuse. History can prove that humans have a way of dealing with injustice, even our religious and amicable Zimbabwean folk. I do not intend to incite anyone into illegal pursuits however I merely want to bring it to the attention of those involved that they could find themselves faced with rampant ensnaring of their precious animals. If this trend of abject indifference by the wildlife authorities continues, there could be more deaths especially of children since some walk long distances to and from schools.

I believe that the wildlife/ conservation maestros have a responsibility to the people and if anything, their motivation should not be money. Usually where money is involved, the typical humanoid forgets morality and sets his constrained mind on the money-ball and keeps kicking it until he is fired, and then he becomes an excellent human. It is my belief that these conservation organizations are merely motivated by money and not the conservation travesty they put on. We cannot carry on as if everything is normal, that these animals are harmless, that they prey on particular beasts. I have always believed that lions were shy, that they scampered away at the sight of man but lo, a child was killed; so much for shy lions.

They are conservationists and they will tell us that their ''endangered species'' are harmless and can be chased off with a whip when infact it is us that are in-danger. I there is more that these people can do, there is a lot they should be doing not only about their animals but for the communities and families who suffer loss at the hands, or rather more appropriately, the paws of their "wrongly accused" lions. They should stop reasoning for the animals, trying to find a sane reason why an animal would attack a person; this is reality not the Garden of Eden.

Do not tell us that elephants do not attack when unthreatened, do not try to convince us that buffaloes can't climb trees because there might not be time for that. Unlike you, we cannot think like animals, we do not know how to read an animal's temper from its smell but we cannot stomach their presence in our backyards. Should we continue to look over our shoulders in case one of your wild cronies is hounding after our scent for a cheap shot meal. These animals do not take precedence, we do; this is our home and to think we are being forced into some sunset curfew is a crime against personal liberty. After all, they are animals, things of less intellect as you seem to have been convincing us over the years. Well here is a testament for you, these animals are not saints and surely are not robots and I wonder how many more bloody incidents you want to see before you do something about it. I am not asking that you kill all the animals that threaten lives but I just wish that we would come first in your priority list because the greatest threat to these animals is us, and you know it. Humanity first then animals and global warming and money come later.

 Thank you!