Villagers in Thekwane, Plumtree, are living in fear due to the persistent encroachment of elephants along Dombodema Road, which has led to heightened anxiety among residents despite their ongoing efforts, along with safari operators, to drive the animals away.
Many villagers, who spoke to CITE anonymously, expressed their frustration as their attempts to deter the elephants have yielded little success.
One villager highlighted the discomfort of local farmers with community members entering their properties to scare off the elephants, fearing that if any elephant were harmed, it could lead to a rush from Plumtree town residents seeking meat.
The villagers observed that whenever they depart from Thekwane, the elephants return almost immediately, and tracking the animals often leads them back to private properties, leaving them with no alternative but to withdraw.
Tinashe Farawo, Head of Corporate Communications for the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks), indicated that there have been no official reports regarding the elephant sightings in Plumtree, urging villagers to communicate these concerns to local authorities, including the Rural District Council (RDC) and traditional leaders, for appropriate action.
The recent situation coincides with government plans to cull 200 elephants in a bid to provide meat to communities grappling with severe hunger amid the worst drought in four decades, although this initiative has faced backlash from conservationists advocating for alternative solutions to support those affected by crop failures.
In 2023 alone, Zimbabwe recorded 50 fatalities due to elephant @ttacks, a stark reminder of the dangers posed by human-wildlife conflicts as the nation deals with a growing elephant population estimated at over 84,000—significantly exceeding the sustainable capacity of 55,000 according to wildlife authorities.
SOURCE : NEWSREPORTZIM.COM
