CSC loses cattle to lions
Sunday News April 13, 2008
Farming Reporter

THE Cold Storage Company (CSC) lost two beasts to lions at their Winterblock ranch in Umguza district amid revelations that some farmers in the area have lost a significant number of livestock.

In an interview with Sunday Business on Friday, CSC’s public relations officer, Ms Patience Madambi confirmed that the company had lost two weaners last week.
“Yes, I can confirm to you that CSC lost two weaners on the evening of Tuesday April 11, 2008 at our Winterblock ranch, which lies along the Bulawayo/Victoria Falls road.
“Two lions, one of which has since been killed, were spotted in the area and are responsible for the loss the company incurred,†Ms Madambi said.
She however said CSC was not the only victim as a farmer renting a section of the company’s ranch lost four cattle to the marauding lions while villagers surrounding the ranch are reported to have lost donkeys and goats in the same manner.
“One of the two lions was put down and the remaining one has not been spotted for some days now and farmers in the area are now afraid to go to their paddocks where their animals have been contained,†Ms Madambi said.
The CSC public relations officer said the loss of the two weaners impacts negatively on their breeding programme.
CSC ranches and feedlots are run following international good farming practice procedures relating to breeding, feeding, general husbandry, disease control, handling and water supply. Eighty percent of cattle slaughtered at CSC ranches are fed on natural grazing and the remainder on concentrate feed supplied by commercial producers.
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA) public relations manager, Retired Major Edward Mbewe, acknowledged receiving such a report but said little information pertaining to the movement of the pride has been divulged to the authority to determine the appropriate measure to deal with the wild animals.
Farmers in Matabeleland North province have over the years lost livestock to wild animals such as lions and hyenas owing to the presence of wildlife sanctuaries in the area.