Villagers Live In Fear Of Stray Lions
http://www.radiovop.com


MASVINGO, August 26, 2009- Eight of the 59 lions that were left
unattended following the eviction of former white commercial farmer Ronnie
Sparrow from his property by a top Zanu PF official have gone astray,
leaving nearby villagers living in perpetual fear.

Sparrow went into hiding in March this year after the police were
baying for his blood for failing to vacate his Quarter Parks Farm, which has
since been taken over by former ZANU PF provincial chairman, retired army
major Alex Mudavanhu.

Sparrow, who also had another conservancy, Simply Wild, was forced to
leave 59 caged lions, 26 buffaloes, 18 antelopes, 15 horses, five giraffes
as well as an unspecificied number of small animals from the conservancy.

Simply Wild Farm manager Mureriwa Ndumbi told Radio VOP that of the
eight that escaped, four were re-captured, leaving the other four roaming in
nearby areas, and sending shivers to the Chikwanda community.

"It is true that some lions escaped from their cages last week, but
the Parks Department sent some officials who re-captured only four. The
other four have not been captured and are said to be causing untold
suffering to the Chikwanda villagers as well as other resettled farmers, so
the government mulls shooting them," Ndumbi said.

Parks Department public relations manager, Caroline-Washaya-Moyo
confirmed the escape of the eight lions.

"The lions escaped last week and our professional hunters trekked them
and managed to get only four. The other four are roaming around, and we will
have no option except to shoot them," Washaya-Moyo said.

Trevor Ganyani, of Ganyani farm bordering the Chikwanda community,
said some villagers had lost four beasts to the lions. He said people were
now afraid to walk alone-let alone in the dark-due to the fear of these
animals.

Following Sparrow's untimely departure from the country, into self
exile in neighboring South Africa, the Parks Department, which had been
invited to help in the upkeep of the animals, has been struggling to take
care of the animals.

The lions need at least a tone of beef everyday, besides the medicines
for their upkeep.

Lion escapes from cage

From George Maponga in MASVINGO
August 27, 2009

A lion escaped from its cage at Kyle Recreational Park near Lake Mutirikwi in Masvingo, causing apprehension among villagers in the adjacent Chikwanda communal lands that the beast might prey on them and their livestock.

Initially, four lions escaped from their cages at Simply Wild — a lion breeding reserve — but Parks and Wildlife Management Authority rangers recaptured three.

The Parks authority has since dispatched a team of specialist rangers led by a Kwekwe-based professional hunter to track down the remaining lion.

There have been no reports of human deaths or loss of livestock since the four lions escaped over the weekend.

The runaway lions were part of the 59 that were abandoned by conservancy operator Mr Ronnie Sparrow, who reportedly went to South Africa two months ago.

The Parks authority has been looking after the lions since then.

Parks public relations manager Ms Caroline Washaya-Moyo yesterday said efforts were underway to capture the outstanding lion.

"Four lions escaped from their cages recently but we have so far managed to recapture three of the lions while the last one is still on the run.

"We will recapture it soon. There have not been any reports of loss of human life in the adjacent communal lands or any loss of livestock.

"We have also since alerted communities who live around the park to be on the lookout for the lion and immediately make a report to our officers if they spot it.

"But more importantly, we have a team of about six proficient rangers led by a professional hunter who are tracking the remaining lion," she said.

The trackers have been authorised to shoot the lion if the situation requires such a response.

Ms Washaya-Moyo attributed the escape to vandalism of solar panels that used to provide power to the perimeter electric fence at the breeding cages.

She added that the Parks authority had started repairing the perimeter fence in addition to replacing stolen and vandalised solar panels.