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Zimbabwe: Lions Wreak Havoc in Mhangura



Several farmers have lost cattle to marauding lions that are roaming freely in Mhangura and surrounding areas.

The lions, whose number is yet to be established, are suspected to have escaped from Chinanga Game Lodge.

Mashonaland West police spokesperson Inspector Clemence Mabgweazara confirmed the development, adding that efforts to track the cats were in progress.

"We have reports of lions that have caused panic in the Mhangura area," he said. "Several people have lost their livestock to the marauding lions."

Two lions, including a cub, have been killed by Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority game wardens.

The cub was caught by a trap and its mother laid siege waiting for it.

Villagers who had set the trap found the cub trapped and the mother lying in wait and alerted Parks officials who shot the lion.

In another incident, a lion jumped into a cattle kraal and attacked a beast.

Parks officials were called in and managed to kill the lion.

People in the Doma and Mhangura areas are now living in fear of the lions which are sometimes spotted moving as a pride.

"We have now resorted to going home early and we avoid going out at night," said Johnson Talema of Mhangura.

Insp Mabgweazara urged people in the area to avoid confronting the lions and allow trained people to handle them.

"We are talking of dangerous animals here and people should take extra caution to avoid being attacked until the situation has been dealt with conclusively," he said.

People in the area, he said, should alert the police and Parks officials whenever they spot the animals.