In a tragic incident of human-wildlife conflict, a 50-year-old woman from Kariba was trampled to death by an elephant. The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson, Tinashe Farawo, confirmed that the victim was among a group of women returning from a fishing expedition on Lake Kariba when the elephant attacked.
Farawo explained that the growing elephant population in Zimbabwe has exacerbated such conflicts, with the country now home to over 50,000 elephants—far exceeding the carrying capacity of its national parks. This overpopulation has led to increased encounters between humans and wildlife, resulting in the destruction of crops, property damage, and, tragically, loss of human lives.
“The situation is dire,” Farawo said, emphasizing that the lack of resources to manage the burgeoning elephant numbers has made it difficult to keep wildlife within protected areas. “Our parks are overwhelmed, and communities living near wildlife areas are bearing the brunt of this crisis.”
Human-wildlife conflict has been a persistent issue in Zimbabwe, as elephants frequently encroach on human settlements in search of food and water. The latest incident in Kariba highlights the urgent need for sustainable wildlife management strategies to protect both human lives and wildlife populations.
Zimbabwe’s conservation authorities are calling for international support and funding to help manage the growing elephant population and mitigate the conflicts arising from it. However, efforts to control the population through culling or relocation have been met with resistance from conservation groups, complicating the search for a solution.
As authorities continue to grapple with these challenges, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority is urging communities in high-risk areas to exercise caution and follow safety guidelines when moving through or near wildlife habitats.
