Rogue jackal wreaks havoc

The Chronicle
March 20, 2009


VILLAGERS at Emadwaleni in Matobo District’s ward 14 are living in fear of a marauding jackal, which has killed dozens of their livestock.
On Wednesday the villagers petitioned their chief, Nyangazonke Ndiweni to approach National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority to either capture or kill the animal.
In the past three months, the jackal reportedly killed 15 goats, 10 sheep and two donkeys.
Chief Nyangazonke assured villagers that he would act urgently on the matter. A villager, who claimed to have come face to face with the jackal, said it had two puppies.
Other villagers said they have resorted to tying bright coloured cloths and hanging bells onto their livestock, as they believed it scared the jackal away.
At one time, a group of villagers tried to hunt down the predator but elders advised them that it was against the law because the jackal is on the protected species list.
“We cannot kill this dangerous animal because some elders told us it would get us into trouble with the authorities. Although we now know the area where it has its hideout, our hands are tied,” said one of the villagers, who lost eight goats to the jackal.
“It lives around Mbabule River, along Kezi Road, about five kilometres from Kezi Service Centre. It kills our goats by ripping off their stomachs,” said another villager.
Some elders from Emadwaleni said though it was rare for jackals to attack human beings, this one had become so daring that they believed it was only a matter of time before it killed children in the village.
They also said the jackal had found a rich hunting ground, as evidenced by the half-eaten carcasses that it rarely returns to finish.
“This animal is unlikely to leave this area because it is getting more than enough food here. We are happy that Chief Nyangazonke has agreed to take up the matter because it was going to wipe out our livestock,” said one of the elders.

WOW....

How big or rather small are the donkeys in Zim?

This must be quite a big jackal that can take a donkey....

It might be that there are more than one jackal in that area with all that kills in 3 months....

Wonder when jackals became protected?

quote:

Originally posted by Gerhard.Delport:
WOW....

How big or rather small are the donkeys in Zim?

This must be quite a big jackal that can take a donkey....

First thing that came to my mind, too. That must be the mother of all jackals!

They are probably confusing jackal with leopard I would hazard a guess.

Leopard for sure.

That ain't no jackal, killing donkeys.