Villagers in Chidobe and Ndlovu outside Victoria Falls are counting losses following the invasion of the community by a pride of lions that has killed dozens of cattle and goats.
Onesia Ngwenya, a widow in Mvuthu BH11 lost a cow and its calf last Wednesday when a pride of six lions entered the kraal at night.
The pride went on the kill goats at her neighbour Lydia Mpala moments later before they killed some cows that were not penned in the same village.
Villagers in Ndlovu are now herding cattle all day long as the pride is camped in Mvuthu forest from where it launched attacks at night.
This is happening as incidents of human-wildlife conflict continue to escalate in communities that are adjacent to game parks and villagers have called upon authorities to drive away the animals and also compensate those affected by the conflict.
Besides lions, elephants have also been causing havoc in many communities where they have destroyed crops.
“People are living in fear of the lions that have literally been camped in the community. As we speak they are in Mvuthu forest where we herd our cattle and we are forced to monitor them all day long. People have lost goats, cattle and donkeys to the lions,” said Paulos Ntini, Mvuthu village chair.
Hwange Rural District Councillor Givemeagain Moyo said what confuses villagers is that the lions are collared which should naturally mean that those monitoring them should quickly pick when they stray into communities.
“People have lost livestock to these lions, some of which are collared. It is our wish that these researchers assist communities in driving the lions away because they cannot be killed,” he said.
Meanwhile, a lone lion has been causing havoc in neighbouring Chidobe 3 where it killed goats.
Rangers from the Campfire team shot it dead on Saturday bringing relief to villagers.
“These people have to be compensated. We wonder what the role of rangers is when they let animals stray into communities and kill animals and people,” said a villager.
Environment permanent secretary Raphael Faranisi who was in Victoria Falls over the weekend told journalists that efforts are being made to compensate victims of human-wildlife conflict.
Government introduced a Human-Wildlife Conflict Relief Fund last year and is busy mobilising resources to start compensation for families affected by the conflict.
He said the compensation will be in the form of funeral and medical assistance as well as income-generating projects.
“We are following up on a lot of interventions and the minister still has to approve some initiatives after the government set up the compensation fund of which we are working on raising the necessary funds,” said Faranisi.
