18 buffaloes killed in road accident

(From the Bulawayo Chronicle, July 22, 2005)
By Patrick Chitumba, Victoria Falls Reporter
IN one of the worst incidents in the history of the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, 18 buffaloes were killed when a haulage truck ploughed into a herd along the Victoria Falls –Kazungula Road early yesterday morning.
An official with the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, who asked not to be named, confirmed the incident.
“This is one of the worst incidents in the history of the organisation,†he said.
The driver of the truck was allegedly speeding and failed to control the vehicle. The vehicle veered off the road, resulting in it plunging into the herd of buffaloes.
The driver was reportedly taken to Victoria Falls hospital, but his condition could not be ascertained yesterday.
“It seems the driver was speeding and he could have been dozing when the accident happened. His truck veered off the road and ploughed into the herd of buffaloes, which was on the side of the road,†said the official.
He said 18 beasts were found dead at the scene, while others sustained injuries.
“We are working on disposing of the meat and one way is to sell it, and the proceeds will go towards the CAMPFIRE project. Another option would be to burn the carcasses,†he said.
The official said the wildlife and livestock along the country’s major roads were at great risk as fences along the highways were vandalised.

you should live here in NE Pa 18 deer get run over in a 50 mile stretch of Rt. 80 nearly everyday

There is almost always a herd of Buff next to the road at the hill going up into Vic Falls on the Bulawayo hiway. They get real close at night.

Who has to pay the trophy fees?

Driving from Lemco to Bulawayo we had to constantly slow down for people, goats, donkeys and cattle in the road. Free range grazing since almost no area had complete fencing.

Regards,

Terry

Lived in Armstrong county Pa for several years and they kill quite a few on the road. I would venture to say there are probably more ROAD kills in Pa each year than all big game killed in Zimbabwe in a year.

Too bad Mugabe wasn't riding one of them.

What's the SD of a Mack truck?

Zimbabwe: As you must be well aware of after living in Pa, more deer get killed in this state by vehicle than are killed by sport hunting in most states.
I agree with your comment as to the amt killed here vs all of Zim and just about every country in Africa.
The difference here in Pa we don't have villagers running out with baskets anknives to cut them up!

Come on, those 18 buffalo charged the truck.