Boy (12) injured in buffalo attack

Herald Reporter April 10, 2008

A 12-YEAR-OLD boy was last week seriously injured after being attacked by a buffalo in a maize field at a farm in Hurungwe.

The incident occurred at around 2pm on Tuesday at a farm in Vuti (F) while Kudzai Matika was guarding a maize field against wild animals.

A neighboring farmer Mr Solomon Nyaruwata who was in a nearby field rushed to the boy’s rescue after he heard him crying out for help.

"I heard screams from the maize fields and rushed to see what was happening. I was shocked to see the boy wrestling with the buffalo," Mr Nyaruwata said.

After a struggle, he said, they managed to fend the buffalo off, but the boy suffered scratches all over his body.

Mr Nyaruwata suspected that the animal had strayed from Charara Game Park.

The area has seen an increase in the number of stray animals that were posing danger to people living near the game park.

Wild animals that include elephants and lions have also been spotted in the area resulting in people being forced to remain indoors by 6pm.

"We are appealing to the responsible authorities to have people’s lives at heart.

"We have now become restricted to be indoors by 6pm for fearing attacks from these animals.

"The animals, especially elephants had destroyed hectares of maize and soyabean crops while domestic animals have also not been spared by these game animals," he said.

National Parks and Wildlife Authority Spokesperson Retired Major Edward Mbewe confirmed the incident.

"We received the information and we have already deployed our men on the ground to protect the people in the affected areas," Rtd Maj Mbewe said.

He said three suspected poachers were arrested last week after a buffalo believed to have attacked the boy was later found dead.

"Three suspected poachers were arrested after they were found in possession of hunting guns which did not belong to them," he said

Rtd Major Mbewe attributed the increase in the straying animals to poaching activities in the game park.