Story by Tichaona Kurewa
ZIMBABWE is battling to reduce cases of human-wildlife conflict in the wake of revelations that 50 lives were lost last year, compared to 68 in 2022.
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) spokesperson, Tinashe Farawo disclosed that 85 people were also injured last year while more than 3 000 distress calls related to human-wildlife conflict were received.
Despite the marginal decline, Mr Farawo noted that the numbers are still too high, with Zimparks working with rural district councils to eradicate human wildlife conflict.
He encouraged people living in affected areas to minimise movement at night as most of the incidents occur between dusk and dawn.
Zimbabwe’s ballooning elephant population has resulted in an upsurge of human-wildlife conflict, with over 400 people having been killed by wild animals in the past six years.
The growing population has resulted in the animals frequenting human settlements in search of food and water, but with dire consequences.
Elephants and crocodiles are some of the problem animals.
