The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority on Wednesday, 09 October killed a problem elephant that had been terrorising communities and destroying mango fruits in Hwange.
Ingagula councillor Brian Chikumbo confirmed the shooting of the elephant to <a href="https://vicfallslive.co.zw/problem-elephant-shot-in-hwange/">VicFallsLive</a>. He said:
<blockquote>
We have been having some human-wildlife conflicts of late, whereby jumbos, more than four herds, have been coming into the community around 7 pm every day and even inside people’s houses. It had become unbearable, and very soon we could have recorded a fatality.
We just want a lasting solution because we fear that one day we might have a fatality as the numbers and teams are increasing every day.
</blockquote>
Farai Maguwu, the founding Director of the Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG), expressed deep concern over the “senseless” killing of elephants, arguing that there is an urgent need to conserve biodiversity. Said Maguwu:
<blockquote>
If [the government] really cared about conservation and biodiversity they would take action against rampant destructive mining taking place everywhere in Zimbabwe.
To have the same officials suddenly showing concern for conservation by killing elephants is ridiculous. Some of us are not fools.
According to Zimparks, crocodiles are the number one killer in Zimbabwe followed by elephants. Why are we not seeing the Zimbabwe government going after crocodiles if it is concerned about people? Stop this criminal activity.
</blockquote>
Human-wildlife conflict is a major issue in Zimbabwe, particularly in areas close to national parks. This conflict often involves elephants, which can cause substantial damage to crops and property, and even pose a threat to human lives.
The Hwange National Park, for example, has seen increasing incidents of elephants straying into nearby villages, leading to crop destruction and sometimes fatal encounters.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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Zimbabwe officials killed a problem elephant that was causing trouble in Hwange. The elephant was destroying mango farms and entering people's homes. Some people think it was wrong to kill the elephant and that the government should focus on other ways to protect wildlife. The conflict between humans and animals is a big problem in Zimbabwe, especially near national parks. This can lead to damage to crops and danger to people. It is important to find a solution that protects both the animals and the people.

Zimparks Eliminate Problem Elephant In Hwange

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks), on Saturday, September 28, responded to a distress call from a resident in Victoria Falls and gunned down a problem elephant that had entered their yard.
As reported by <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/thestandard/news/article/200032971/zimparks-defends-shooting-of-vic-falls-elephant">The Standard</a>, the elephant was shot around 5 AM, prompting outrage among animal conservationists who argued that the elephant left behind calves. Said an animal rights activist:
<blockquote>
An elephant cow was shot dead on the streets of Victoria Falls today (yesterday) leaving her three orphaned calves.
This has caused an outcry. The elephant was just eating some plants outside someone’s garden and it was shot by parks rangers at 5 AM.
</blockquote>
However, Zimparks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo defended the decision to kill the elephant, saying it had posed a threat to human life. Said Farawo:
<blockquote>
Yes there was an incident of elimination of an elephant, human life was under threat and normal in this is part of our wildlife control measures.
I do not know how they come to the conclusion that this elephant had three young calves.
You know we do not use emotions when we deal with these things. We deal with facts.
The fact still remains when human life is under threat, that is how we react and we are not apologetic.
I think it’s not right for people to invoke emotions around problem animals control.
When human life is under threat we react, its provided for in our policy and legislation and that is what we have done.
How do they prove that this is the calf of the eliminated elephant, they are just playing games.
</blockquote>
The government recently announced plans to cull 200 elephants to provide food for those facing shortages as a result of the ongoing drought.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimparks rangers in Zimbabwe killed an elephant in Victoria Falls that was causing trouble. Animal rights activists are upset because the elephant left behind three calves. Zimparks defended their decision, saying the elephant posed a threat to human life. They do not use emotions, but facts to make decisions. The government plans to cull 200 more elephants to provide food during the drought.

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