Elephants invade town in western Zimbabwe

www.chinaview.cn 2005-03-27 16:21:52

HARARE, March 27 (Xinhuanet) -- Residents in Hwange, some 800 km
west of Zimbabwean capital Harare, are having sleepless nights following the
invasion of the town by stray elephants that are destroying property and
fruit trees, according to Sunday News.

The elephants are running away from the nearby national park
insearch of drinking water.

It is believed that green trees are now scarce in the parks andthe
jumbos were being attracted to the residential areas by green mango trees.

So daring are the animals that Mpindani Mpala, a resident, got the
shock of his life on Tuesday night when he spotted a giant elephant just two
meters from his bedroom window.

Another resident, Themba Chindoro, whose three mango trees
weredestroyed on Thursday night, appealed to the relevant authorities to
take action.

"They are having sleepless and scary nights because of the
elephants. We now fear for our lives and fruit trees," said Chindoro.

The mango fruit, which is in season, is a delicacy and good source
of income at this time of the year for many people in Hwange.

On Monday night, the jumbos ran riot, uprooting virtually
everytree at the St George's Primary School orchard, resulting in scores of
pupils making a quick return home on Tuesday.

Two weeks ago, some National Railways of Zimbabwe employees
working on a faulty cable had to make good their escape after a herd of
elephants made a surprise appearance at the work site. Enditem

Have gun, will travel.

Paladin

Sounds like an over population issue. I'm with PWN on this.....