Jutshume villagers in Plumtree, Matabeleland South heaved a sigh of relief after a stray lion was gunned down by Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife (Zimparks) rangers last week.
The lion was part of a pride that was roaming the area and preyed on livestock.
The matter was reported to Zimparks which dispatched a team of rangers to track down the lions.
The villagers were also wary of a cackle of hyenas which were said to be trailing the lions.
Four hyenas were also shot down in the process.
“They tracked the lions all the way to Marabula village and shot one of the lions. They also shot four hyenas,” said one villager Moki Ncube.
Ward 10 Bambadzi Councillor, Zuleki Nyathi also confirmed that one lion was killed.
The Chairperson of the Community Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE) in Ward 10, Sikhumbuzo Dube said the development will come as a relief the villagers.
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) spokesperson, Tinashe Farawo said he could not comment as he was verifying the matter with the responsible people on the ground.
