The Sunday News
Fairness Moyana in Dete
VILLAGERS in Dopota and Mabale areas of Dete in Hwange district are calling for urgent intervention to deal with stray lions that have killed more than 40 goats and five beasts in the last two weeks.
According to villagers, a pride of five lions has been patrolling the areas and forcing most people to stay indoors.
“We are living in fear of the five lions which have taken residence near dams where our livestock drink water from.
These lions have been killing goats and just last week they killed 14 goats in one night.
So far from our findings 40 goats and five cows have been killed over a period of 21 days. We have tried to engage authorities but not much has been done to catch these lions,” said Mr Evans Shoko a village head from Dopota.
Chief Nelukoba Dingani confirmed the development, arguing that the number of livestock killed so far could be higher than reported.
“Yes, I can confirm that we have been battling with keeping ourselves and livestock safe after lions strayed into the areas and started killing goats and cattle.
“I’m not yet sure on the official figures in terms of losses as we are still compiling through village heads but the number of goats killed so far over a period of 21 days is over 45 while that of cattle is around five.
“I have been receiving reports from my village heads that people are under siege as the lions have taken residence at a dam in Dopota where water is drawn.
‘‘Earlier this year I also lost five goats to lions and hyenas and it appears it’s the same pride,” said Chief Nelukoba.
He said officials from Zimparks and Hwange Rural District Council have been notified of the problem.
On Friday officials from Zimparks held an awareness campaign in the affected areas calling on villagers to exercise caution as rangers were still trying to capture the animals.
Although Zimparks spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo was not reachable for comment, an official who spoke on condition of anonymity told Sunday News that the lions were part of a pride that had strayed into the communal lands to escape a rival pride after an alpha male was killed.
“We suspect that the lion is a female with cubs which was displaced following the death of the male leader. So it is roaming around with its cubs to avoid other males.
“These lions have been going into the communal areas to hunt before going back into the Forestry area. This is what is making it difficult to capture them,” the official said.
