http://allafrica.com/stories/201204101026.html


Zimbabwe: Chief Appeals to Parks to Contain Stray Elephants
By Noah Pito, 10 April 2012


Chief Nematombo of Hurungwe is appealing to the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority to swiftly drive out herds of elephants that are wreaking havoc in the area. In an interview recently, the chief said several herds of up to 14

each, have been spotted in the area roaming freely in maize fields.

One jumbo has already killed a villager in the area.

According to the chief, the elephant tore the villager to pieces while he tried to drive away the animals from his field.

"After he drove the herd from his field, he never noticed that a bull had separated from the herd and taken a different direction.

"As he moved back home it then attacked him. It tore him to pieces.

"People in my area, especially Nyadara and Chiufe, no longer have freedom of movement due to these animals. Some now fear even going to their fields," he said.

The Chiufe fatality came barely a week after a six-year-old boy from nearby Chief Nyamhunga's area was also killed by a stray jumbo a fortnight ago.

The boy, Takudzwa Kabatamuswe from Makudzachamba village, was killed by a stray jumbo while accompanying his sister, who was returning a borrowed cellphone.

The jumbo lifted him into the air for a distance of 30 metres before it killed him by knocking him once against a rock.

The elephant was later killed the same day by a Hurungwe Rural District Council Campfire safari operator, 13km from the scene.

Meanwhile, Mashonaland West police spokesperson Inspector Clemence Mabgweazara has urged villagers in areas frequented by wild animals to be on the alert, especially this time of the year when there is thick vegetation.

If only the title were:

Chief appeals to Will Parks to contain stray jumbos.