Gweru residents live in fear of stray lion

Midlands Correspondent

July 22, 2010



RESIDENTS of Gweru’s Riverside and Harben Park suburbs near Thornhill Air Force base are living in fear of a stray lion which has been spotted in the two residential areas.
The residents said the lion was first spotted running away from a veld fire that broke out in a bushy area between the Air Force base and Harben Park on Monday.
Others said the lion was allegedly spotted on Monday and Tuesday around the Air- force base sparking fears from residents who have since approached the police and the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority to look into the matter.
The police and the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority officers yesterday confirmed having received information about the stray wild animal.
They, however, said they were still to locate the animal.
“We have heard such rumours and contacted the concerned department as well as the Air Force of Zimbabwe's public relations department for assistance. A hunt for the animal was conducted but the beast could not be located,” said police spokesperson for the Midlands Province Inspector Patrick Chademana.
Insp Chademana urged residents to be on the lookout for the lion in the event that the rumours could turn out to be true.
Officials from the parks said their teams were on the ground hunting for the animal in Riverside and surrounding areas.
“We received a report that the animal was spotted near Thornhill Air Base on Monday. A team from our office is still out on the ground hunting for the said lion but the beast has not been caught,” said a parks official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
National Parks and Wildlife Management area manager for the Midlands Province, Mr Oscar Nyathi yesterday confirmed having received information about the wild animal.
He, however, referred further questions to the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority headquarters in Harare for a comment.
“We can confirm having received information to that effect. However, contact our head office in Harare for an official comment,” he said.
An official from the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, however, said they were still tracking the wild animal.
“We are still hunting for the wild animal. We are also very surprised as to what could have attracted the wild animal to residential areas. The lion normally prefers the wild jungle and shuns away from such areas that are populated,” he said.
The official said the wild animal's presence in a residential area and where plot holders have cattle and other domestic animals could be dangerous.
“Normally a lion is not all that dangerous to people especially if it’s a lone one. It remains, however, very dangerous to domestic animals,” he said.
Residents in the area expressed fear that the stray lion could harm them.
“It’s very dangerous to take this lion for granted. It can attack people especially young children,” said Mr Future Mkokowondo from Harben Park.
Mr Mkokowondo said the lone “king of the jungle” has been the talk of the area ever since it was spotted on Monday.
He said residents were now walking in groups to avert the danger posed by the lion.
“There was a veld fire in a bushy area between Thornhill Air Base and Harben Park and it was during this time that some residents saw the lion running away from the burning bush in the direction of Riverside suburb,” he said.
Another resident, Mr Tichagwa Chivandani said since the rumours about the lion started spreading, parents have been accompanying their children to and from school.
“I haven’t seen it myself but the rumours are fast spreading. When people talk of the presence of such a highly dangerous animal in your area, you do not want to be the first one to prove that the talk is just a rumour. It is understandable why residents are concerned and accompanying their children to and from school,” he said.
Lawrence Moyo, a 14-year-old boy employed as a herd boy at a plot in Harben Park said it now called for courage and bravery for one to herd cattle in the area.
“I’m herding cattle despite the talk of the lion because I am brave. I, however, always make sure that I stay alert every time so that I don't fall prey to this lion,” he said.

Yeah, they killed or ran off the white's so now must fend for themself. Even ran Ronnie Sparrow off and he had to leave 62 Lion's. Ironic no?