Residents of Victoria Falls are facing challenges coexisting with a large number of buffaloes that have been frequently seen in both high-density urban and low-residential areas.
According to <a href="https://vicfallslive.co.zw/victoria-falls-residents-at-odds-with-roaming-buffaloes-zimparks-maintains-they-belong/">VicFallsLive</a>, the buffaloes have become a common sight, with videos from residents showing attempts to guide them away using sticks and rocks, though the buffaloes remain unbothered.
On Wednesday, November 20, three buffaloes blocked the road on Jakaranda Street while feeding on leaves and grass.
Despite concerns raised by residents, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) asserts that the buffaloes are within their natural habitat. Tinashe Farawo, Zimparks spokesperson said:
<blockquote>
I think we need to understand who is saying there has been a growing trend of buffalos in Victoria Falls for example. l think the numbers we have in Victoria Falls we don’t have much problems with them and this is what attracts tourists.
It’s a tourist town and one of the major draw-cuts for tourists is those buffalos. It is definitely their habitat that’s where they stay in the wild.
</blockquote>
However, residents residents disagree. They say that the buffaloes are causing disruptions and may pose a danger to people. Said Khulani Ncube:
<blockquote>
We are working hard to make a living, and now we have to deal with these wild animals in our streets.
</blockquote>
In one incident, approximately 40 buffaloes blocked the road on Mkhosana Street near Kazungula Road while feeding on vegetables.
Witness Trymore Ndolo told VicFallsLive that the buffaloes could lead to an accident if no action is taken.
While Zimparks insists that the buffaloes are a tourist attraction, residents say their safety should come first.
Another resident acknowledged the importance of tourism but argued that people’s lives are equally, if not more, important than those of wild animals.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Residents in Victoria Falls are having problems with buffaloes roaming around the town. The buffaloes are seen in both busy urban areas and quieter neighborhoods. Even though residents are trying to guide the buffaloes away, they are not bothered. Zimparks says the buffaloes are in their natural home and attract tourists. However, residents are worried about the danger the buffaloes may pose. They say their safety should come first. While tourism is important, people's lives are more important. Residents and Zimparks are not agreeing on what to do about the roaming buffaloes.

Victoria Falls Residents, Zimparks Clash Over Roaming Buffaloes

Residents of Mkhosana in Victoria Falls are living in fear as a large herd of buffaloes, estimated to number between 30 and 40, has been encroaching into the area since June.
The buffaloes have been wreaking havoc by destroying vegetable gardens and posing a threat to human safety.
In an interview with <a href="https://vicfallslive.co.zw/buffaloes-wreak-havoc-in-victoria-falls-residents-living-in-fear/">VicFallsLive</a>, David Mpofu, a concerned resident of Mkhosana, urged ZimParks to intervene and help address the situation. He said:
<blockquote>
We are living in fear because these buffaloes come every day, destroying our vegetable gardens. We want the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority rangers to take action and chase them away.
</blockquote>
Trymore Ndolo, a member of the Victoria Falls Combined Residents Association, said the buffaloes are becoming a menace as they encroach into high-density residential areas.
Just last week, a large herd of buffaloes invaded the Victoria Falls City Council water works premises, catching security guards off guard and forcing them to take cover.
In Mkhosana, the buffaloes remained stubbornly in the area until officials from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority arrived to chase them away.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A big group of buffaloes is scaring people in Victoria Falls by coming into their neighborhoods and ruining their gardens. The buffaloes are causing trouble and putting people in danger. The residents want the wildlife rangers to come and make the buffaloes go away. The buffaloes even went to the water works place last week and scared the guards. Finally, the wildlife officials had to come and move the buffaloes out of the neighborhoods. People are hoping that the situation will get better soon.

Buffaloes Invade Residential Areas In Victoria Falls

Stray buffaloes that were spotted in Buhera District on 13 March attacked and seriously injured a woman from Zambakwe Village in Chief Budzi’s area in neighbouring Bikita District the following day.
Chief Budzi confirmed the incident to <a href="https://masvingomirror.com/stray-buffaloes-seriously-injure-bikita-woman/">The Mirror</a>, saying the woman was attacked 15km deep into Bikita villages.
The victim, Monica Mukamba (50), was attacked by a buffalo at around 10 AM while washing plates next to her hut. She reportedly sustained a broken rib in the attack. Chief Budzi said:
<blockquote>
The stray buffaloes are 15km deep into the villages from Save Conservancy. We are afraid that they are going to attack more people if the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management (Zimparks) doesn’t immediately locate them and take them back to the conservancy.
</blockquote>
Mukamba’s neighbour, Zebron Gumireshe, said Zimparks was informed immediately after the attack but rangers only arrived at 5 PM.
Mukamba was taken to Dewure Clinic where she was referred to Birchenough Bridge Hospital.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Bikita Woman Attacked, Seriously Injured By Stray Buffaloes

Footballer Philip “Chandi” Chandisaita committed suicide on Sunday due to undisclosed domestic issues.
Chandisaita (38) who played in the Eastern Region Soccer League for Buffaloes FC as a defender, took his life after watching a Premier Soccer League match between Tenax and Dynamos at Vengere Stadium in Rusape.
According to Buffaloes coach Shepherd Nkata, Chandisaita headed to Headlands to his family home after the match but consumed an unknown poisonous substance along the way. Said Nkata:
<blockquote>
Chandisaita was at Vengere stadium yesterday for the Tenax-Dembare game. After the match, he did not return to Mutare.
Instead, he said he was visiting his mother in Headlands. Along the way, he took poison. He then called his mother and told her to come and pick him up along the way.
When his mother arrived, he was already dead. I’m in pain. I did not expect this from him, but that’s what is there now.
It’s so sad. As Buffaloes FC, we were saddened by Chandisaita’s death.
</blockquote>
Eastern Region Soccer League (ERSL) vice chairman, Wisdom Simba, expressed sorrow over Chandisaita’s untimely death. He said:
<blockquote>
It’s true that we lost Chandisaita yesterday after an undisclosed domestic dispute.
As ERSL, we are saddened by the loss of the experienced defender. He was a disciplined player.
We also urge our players to learn to share with others their challenges. It helps a lot. Committing suicide is not the solution.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://masvingomirror.com/buffaloes-defender-commits-suicide/">The Mirror</a>

Zimbabwean Footballer Commits Suicide

The Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has urged communities to stay away from stray buffaloes and desist from provoking wild animals.
This comes after herds of buffaloes were recently spotted in Masvingo and Manicaland provinces.
Tecla Muvori, a local villager in Svinurai and Mawadze in Zaka, Masvingo, said four stray buffaloes were spotted in the area. She said:
<blockquote>
Ever since the buffaloes were spotted, we can no longer go out and herd our cattle near the hillocks where the buffaloes often graze.
Buffaloes are deadly, highly temperamental animals that can attack human beings without provocation.
The animals must be removed from our midst as soon as possible.
</blockquote>
Zimparks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo urged villagers to avoid interfering with the stray wild animals’ movements. Said Farawo:
<blockquote>
If I am not mistaken, this is the same herd that was also spotted in Chiadzwa in Manicaland.
As ZimParks, we are always on high alert and I urge communities not to provoke wild animals and to give them space for free passage.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/new-stray-buffaloes-cause-panic-fear">The Sunday Mail</a></h4>

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