Tinotenda Hove- Communities in parts of Manicaland are increasingly being exposed to dangerous wildlife as animals from the neighbouring Save Valley Conservancy continue finding their way into populated areas.

The growing human-wildlife conflict has particularly affected villagers in Chipinge and Buhera districts, where residents say the movement of wild animals into communities has become a serious security concern.
The latest incident occurred in Ward 20 in the Chibuwe area, where Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) rangers shot and killed a lioness from a pride that had reportedly been terrorising villagers and preying on livestock.
The lioness was killed in the Mutovhori area in the early hours of Thursday after authorities received reports that the pride was moving dangerously close to homesteads and attacking domestic animals, including cattle and goats.
Residents have expressed fears that the situation could deteriorate into attacks on people if the lions continue entering villages and fail to find livestock.
Ward 20 Councillor Edmore Mabika confirmed that the lion had been killed following intervention by ZimParks rangers.

“There is a pride of lions moving around the area. They are attacking our livestock. We reported the case to ZimParks and their rangers responded promptly and managed to shoot one of the lions,” Mabika said.

He said villagers remained deeply concerned about their safety, warning that the threat could extend beyond livestock if the animals remain in the area.

“We are living in fear of these animals because if they do not find domestic animals to attack they will attack human beings,” he said.

Mabika blamed the deteriorating condition of the Save Valley Conservancy’s perimeter fence for allowing wildlife to escape into surrounding communities.

“The Save Valley Conservancy perimeter fence is damaged and porous. Wild animals freely move into communities in Buhera and Chipinge districts,” he said.

The incident has renewed concerns over the effectiveness of measures to contain wildlife within conservancies and protect communities living close to protected areas.
Residents are now calling for urgent action to repair the damaged perimeter fence and prevent further encounters between people and dangerous wildlife.