Hyenas on the prowl

HR
July 18, 2009

VILLAGERS in Chief Neshangwe’s area in Chikomba are living in fear of losing their livestock to marauding hyenas in the area.

The hyenas are reportedly attacking mostly cattle, goats and donkeys at night.

The villagers are appealing to the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority to help them control the predatory animals.

A villager, Mr Alleck Tapera, said they were now afraid that if the hyenas are not dealt with, they might end up attacking children.

"These dangerous animals are coming into the kraals and kill our livestock and we are afraid that the nearer they come to our homes the more likely they are to turn to our children," he said.

Mr Tapera said a pack of hyenas attacked a villager while he was returning home from a church service at around 7pm last month.

The villager had to take refuge in a tree by the roadside. "We are appealing to the authorities to come and rescue us since warthogs have already destroyed our yields before harvesting," he said. — HR.

When I was in Zimbabwe hunting Charter Estates, a rather large farm hand of Dutch descent approached me and my PH as we were dropping off a sable and reedbuck carcasses at the ranch HQ for their use. This guy was easily 6'5" and well over 300 pounds. He was complaining loudly that he was losing cattle or calves to hyenas and got in my face asking what were we going to do about it...NOW! I said, "if I see any hyenas they die". Situation defused....phew.

Later back at camp the head PH said the ranch hand had a problem with cheetahs not hyenas and went on to question everything from his heritage to his IQ. I suggested he go over to the ranch HQ and explain it to that guy....LOL.