Zim’s human wildlife conflict claims 18 lives, leaves 32 injured inside one quarter

By Staff Reporter

THE Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has recorded a disturbing surge in human-wildlife conflict incidents in the first quarter of 2025, with 18 people having tragically lost their lives and a further 32 injured in encounters with wild animals across the country.

In a statement on Tuesday, the authority spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo said they have received 579 reports of human-wildlife conflict in the period under review.
The figure underscores the growing challenges of cohabiting with wildlife, particularly in areas bordering national parks and conservancies.

“Communities around the country have lost at least 53 cattle and 85 goats, showing a significant increase from 18 and 21 respectively during the same period in 2024. The Authority has translocated 129 animals back into the protected areas and have eliminated 158,” he said.

“We are also actively engaging in various community initiatives to ensure that those sharing boundaries with parks are aware of potential risks and are equipped with strategies to manage wildlife encounters effectively,” he added.

Districts most severely affected by these incidents include Binga, Hwange, Kariba, Chiredzi, Hurungwe, Nyaminyami, and Mbire — regions that are known for their proximity to major wildlife habitats.

ZimParks said that it remains committed to fostering a harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife and wareness campaigns on animal behaviour and safety practices are being intensified, particularly in high-risk zones.

“ZimParks remains dedicated to fostering a harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife and our teams are tirelessly working to raise awareness about wildlife behaviours and effective preventive measures.

“We encourage communities to continue reporting incidents to ZimParks Problem Animal Control numbers listed below and local leadership, such as Councillors, Traditional Leaders and Rural District Council Authorities to ensure that we preserve lives.”