A Hurungwe farmer was on Monday trampled to death by a herd of elephants while tending to his field.
The incident was confirmed by Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks)
to deploy rangers to track the animals. spokesperson Tinashe Farawo who said it was necessary to repeal the Wildlife Act of 1975 to make sure victims of human and wildlife conflict are compensated. He said:
This is yet another sad day as we have lost a life due to human and wildlife conflict. As Zim-Parks, we are appealing to communal farmers to lobby policymakers, including councillors and Members of Parliament so that the Act is repealed to help deceased persons’ families. It’s a policy framework we are working on and need
stakeholders’ input as we look forward.
He also said that the population of wild animals, particularly elephants has rapidly gone up making the country unable to control them.
Farawo added that, unfortunately, due to international treaties safeguarding animal rights, Zimbabwe cannot sell the animals to reduce the population.
The number of people who are dying due to human and wildlife conflict has been rising in the most recent years particularly in areas near parks.
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