Sharon Chigeza
MUTARE– The Bocha area in Marange is under siege as marauding hyenas continue to wreak havoc, with reports indicating that hordes of livestock have fallen victim to these wild animals.
Residents are living in fear as the hyenas, reportedly migrating from the Buhera district, invade human settlements in search of food.
Councillor Legend Chiadzwa, representing Ward 20 of the Mutare Rural District Council, confirmed the alarming situation, stating that the villagers are increasingly vulnerable to attacks from the hyenas.
“The hyena menace has become a significant challenge for our communities in Bocha. Villagers in areas such as Chibiya, Mugomo, and Kamunorwa are living in constant fear as these animals invade their homes and kill their goats. We had reports of several livestock being attacked but we cannot really quantify the actual number,” Chiadzwa explained.
Reports indicate that the hyenas have been emboldened by a shortage of food in their natural habitat, prompting them to seek alternative sources of sustenance. This has led to a dramatic increase in livestock losses, with local farmers expressing their frustration and concern over their livelihoods.
The situation has escalated to a point where residents are forced to take drastic measures to safeguard their livestock. Many are now keeping their goats and other animals indoors at night, hoping this will deter the hyenas from launching attacks. However, this is not a sustainable solution, as the fear of losing their livestock looms large over the community.
Chiadzwa has called for urgent intervention from wildlife authorities and the Government to address the growing conflict between humans and wildlife in the area.
“We need help from the relevant authorities to deal with this crisis. There should be measures in place to manage wildlife populations and protect our communities. Zimparks has been on ground since initial reports when we had one person attacked by a hyena. Since then we are not sure how many they have managed to track down in the process,” he said.
Local wildlife experts have noted that human-wildlife conflict often intensifies during certain seasons, particularly when animals are searching for food. They recommend community awareness programmes to educate residents about coexistence strategies, as well as the importance of securing livestock at night.
The persistent threat of hyenas in Bocha has also raised concerns about the potential for the spread of disease, as sick or malnourished animals may pose health risks to both livestock and humans.
Residents are urging the Government to not only address the immediate danger of the hyenas but to also implement long-term strategies for sustainable wildlife management.
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