Harare, (New Ziana) – A lone elephant trampled and killed a Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) ranger on Thursday night in Kariba, an official of the wildlife protection agency said.
ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo said Josephat Mandishara, a 62-year ranger, was trampled to death after encountering the jumbo in the Gache Gache area.
A surge in human-wildlife conflict has left Kariba residents reeling from frequent wildlife attacks.
The population ratio between human and wildlife in the area has sharply narrowed, resulting in increased conflicts over resources.
“The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) is
deeply saddened to announce the untimely death of 62-year-old Ranger, Josphat Mandishara, who tragically lost his life after being trampled by an elephant in Kariba,” said Farawo.
“The incident occurred during a routine extended patrol on March 13.
Ranger Mandishara was accompanied by two fellow ZimParks rangers and a Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) detail when he encountered the charging elephant.”
This is not an isolated incident.
Reports of human-wildlife conflict have increased by 60 percent over the past decade, with wildlife conflicts manifesting in various ways, including encroachment into protected areas, livestock attacks, crop raids, and invasion of residential areas.
The situation has become increasingly dire, with school children frequently harassed by baboons and monkeys seeking food.
Two weeks ago, three residents suffered severe injuries from an encounter with lone elephants, and last week, a woman sustained hand and leg injuries after being attacked by a rogue hyena.
ZimParks has dispatched rangers from the Charara Safari area to manage
the problem elephant, prioritising the safety of both staff.
“The safety of our staff and wildlife is our utmost priority, and we are committed to taking the necessary measures to prevent such incidents in the future.”
The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers and challenges faced by wildlife rangers globally.
According to the International Ranger Federation, at least 150 rangers die worldwide each year in the line of duty, with many more likely going unreported.
New Ziana
