By Tatenda Zvingwaru
Residents of Zvishavane town are grappling with an unexpected crisis: a troop of troublesome baboons and cunning monkeys wreaking havoc on their daily lives. This primate pandemic has left the community in disarray, as the animals’ antics escalate into aggressive confrontations and property destruction.
The situation reached a boiling point recently when a local resident suffered a brutal attack by a troop of aggressive baboons. The encounter left her with severe injuries, prompting an outcry for immediate intervention from the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.
Over the past few weeks, reports of primate attacks have surged, with residents describing daily encounters that range from stolen food to physical assaults. The once-peaceful town now lives in fear of the marauding animals that seem to have taken over their streets and homes.
Speaking to Great Dyke News reporter Tatenda Zvingwaru, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson Tinashe Farawo assured the community that Zimparks reacts quickly to reports of baboons, either scaring them off or capturing them. Farawo urged local authorities to step up refuse collection efforts and for residents to avoid littering, as the baboons are attracted by food they find from the trash or from the residents themselves.
For now, the battle between man and monkey continues, each day bringing new challenges and a community united in their determination to reclaim their town from the grip of these unpredictable primates.
Chacma Baboons are the only species of Baboon found in Zimbabwe. These extremely adaptable species are found in a range of habitats, from riverine forests to the mountains
