Story by Tichaona Kurewa
A three-year-old girl from Matetsi in Hwange District, Matabeleland North Province, was killed by a crocodile this Tuesday evening while playing near the Matetsi River Bridge along the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Highway.
Authorities said the child was with her five-year-old brother as their mother, Ms Tariro Tsondzowore, fished nearby when the attack occurred.
Police and wildlife officials said the mother had briefly stepped away, leaving the children close to the riverbank, when a crocodile struck and dragged the girl into the water.
Efforts by people at the scene to scare the reptile away were unsuccessful.
The child, who was from Masikili Village under Chief Shana in Hwange District, was taken before help could arrive.
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZimParks) rangers responded to the incident and shot one crocodile. Authorities confirmed that partial human remains have since been recovered, while efforts to retrieve more remains are continuing.
The tragedy has once again brought into focus the growing challenge of human-wildlife conflict in Zimbabwe, particularly in communities living near rivers and wildlife corridors.
Local authorities have urged members of the public to exercise extreme caution near riverbanks and remain alert to the dangers posed by crocodiles and other wild animals.
