Elephants wreak havoc in Bubi
Providence Moyo
Ward 19 villagers in Bubi, Matabeleland North are living in fear as elephants have turned the village into their grazing area, destroying crops in the process, as per Community Podium’s llihlo Lemaphandleni radio show.
Some farmers in the ward have reportedly lost all their crops to a herd of elephants from forestlands under the Forestry Commission in Desharn and Gwamba.
A resident pleaded for mercy from stakeholders involved as she related the difficulties faced by the community. She revealed that villagers have long resorted to beating drums in order to keep the elephants away from their homes.
“We cannot continue like this. We fear for our children and we have run out of options on how to deal with the elephant situation as it has spiralled off control. We call for help because on our own we have failed to handle these wild animals,” she pleaded.
Speaking during the same show, Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management (ZimParks) spokesperson Tinashe Farawo said assistance was on the cards for the anguished villagers.
“We encourage villagers to avoid walking at night so as to preserve lives. We can confirm that we have received a report from Bubi district and our reaction team has responded. They are currently on the ground trying to deal with the problem,” said Farawo.
Veterinary surgeon Dr Anele Dube urged residents to deal wisely with the jumbos and where necessary make concessions to save lives.
“At some point it is wise and advisable for residents to pay attention to what exactly do those wild animals want and give it to them by moving away from those very things to avoid a clash between the two. Nxa zifuna amajodo zipheni amajodo njalo kungabi lomuntu osondela eduze kwazo ukwenzela ukuqinisekisa ukuphepha kwabantu.”
At least 60 people were killed by elephants in Zimbabwe between January and late May 2022, compared with 72 over all of 2021.
Zimbabwe is home to the second largest estimated elephant population of over 100 000 individuals following Botswana, which is estimated to hold more than 130 000 elephants.
