Lions wreak havoc in Umguza, Bubi

Chronicle Reporter
April 5, 2008


VILLAGERS in Umguza and Bubi districts have lost at least 15 cattle and six donkeys to a pride of four lions that has invaded the two areas.
One of the lions is reported to have been put down by a farmer at the Cold Storage Company farm two weeks ago.
The Cold Storage Company lost four cattle, while the re-elected Member of the House of Assembly for Umguza, Cde Obert Mpofu, lost six cattle.
Villagers in Malunka ward in Insuza are reported to have lost about five donkeys, while Justice Maphios Cheda lost one.
One of the managers at the CSC Winter Bloc Ranch, Mr Robson Sibanda, said the parastatal lost four cattle.
“The lions have been giving us problems as from last month. So far we have recovered four cow heads, meaning that these are the ones that were attacked by the lions. We are holding these as exhibit,†he said.
Mr Sibanda said another four beasts were also killed at a neighbouring farm owned by Mr George Ndlovu.
“Mr Ndlovu also lost about four cattle to the lions. He reported to the Parks Authority but they did not respond quickly, leaving him with no option but to gun down one of the lions. He shot a male lion weighing about 200kg. The female one ran away,†Mr Sibanda said.
He said the lions were now moving towards Circle C in Bubi district.
“We started hearing about these lions when they attacked some donkeys at Malunka ward in Insuza. About five donkeys were killed. We also heard that Justice Cheda also lost one of his donkeys to the lions,†he said.
The lions are suspected to have strayed from Hwange National Park.
Contacted for comment, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, Retired Major Edward Mbewe, confirmed receiving a report about the marauding lions.
“A report was made and we have sent our guys to hunt down the lions. A Bulawayo based professional hunter together with our officers have been tasked to hunt down the lions,†he said.
Rtd Major Mbewe said they were also looking into the circumstances that resulted in the shooting of the other lion.
“We do not encourage people to shoot down the animals when they get into their properties. They should report to us. Should we allow such a situation to happen we will create a problem for ourselves. At times it will not be necessary to kill the animal as you can scare it away,†Rtd Major Mbewe said.

Those lions need to be captured, shipped to Harare and then let loose in a certain presidential compound. . . .