Staff writer
Masvingo Central, Zimbabwe – Residents of Ward 23 in Masvingo Central are grappling with a growing crisis as hyenas have encroached upon their community, wreaking havoc and instilling fear among villagers.
Hyenas instilling fear in Masvingo
The predatory animals, which have been present for several weeks, are leaving a trail of destruction, particularly targeting domestic animals such as goats and cattle.
John Dube, a local farmer who has suffered significant losses, expressed his concerns.
"Our daily routines have been compromised; we are now living in fear of these animals as they have so far killed a number of our livestock," he said.
The situation has escalated to the point where school children are being forced to alter their learning schedules.
With four primary schools—Makungubwe, Makoho, Nyadzamba, and Nemasarasara—surrounding the area, parents worry about their children's safety as they commute to school.
"Our children now have to come to school while there is daylight, which disrupts their education," Dube added.
Some students are compelled to walk up to 10 kilometers to reach their schools, making them vulnerable to potential encounters with the wild animals.
As the community takes stock of their losses, villagers are seeking effective ways to deter the hyenas from the area.
He said although they have tried to report the matter to authorities Zimbabwe parks and wildlife management Authority (ZIMPARKS) for assistance nothing has been done to assist the fear stricken villagers.
However wildlife analysts suggested the villagers to increase community patrols, utilizing noise deterrents, and implementing protective enclosures for livestock while they await the interventions from ZIMPARKS .
Wildlife conservation efforts in Zimbabwe have focused on balancing the protection of native species and the safety of rural communities.
In other rural communities especially those near wildlife sanctuaries organizations are working to educate communities about coexistence strategies, although immediate solutions are needed for the Masvingo ward 23 villagers.
The Villagers hope for a swift response from authorities and wildlife experts to mitigate the threat posed by these hyenas and restore peace to their community.
ZIMPARKS spokesperson Tinashe Farawo had not responded to questions by the time of posting
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