By Staff Reporter
KARIBA – Three women’s fishing expedition at Lake Kariba ended tragically when one of them, Sinai Mpofu, was severely trampled by a wild elephant.
The incident happened in the Charara area.
Mpofu had gone fishing with two other women, Mercy Binga and Peggy Matesanwa, and on their way back home, the trio came across a wild elephant that emerged from the thicket, leading them to scatter in different directions.
Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Ian Kohwera, said the elephant pursued Mpofu, violently attacking her with its tusks before trampling her to death.
“They (the trio) ran in different directions and the Jumbo (elephant) followed Mpofu and attacked her with its tusks several times and she fell down.
“It trampled her to death and disappeared into the bush in full view of Binga and Matesanwa who watched from a distant of about 200 metres,” said Kohwera.
In the wake of the tragic incident, Kohwera urged communities residing within game reserves to foster harmonious coexistence with the wild animals.
He emphasized the importance of constant vigilance as the risk of animal attacks remains significant.”
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson, Tinashe Farawo, said that the rogue elephant had been humanely euthanised.
“It’s very sad that we continue to lose lives in human-wildlife conflicts.
“After we received the sad news, we tracked the elephant and managed to euthanise the problem animal.
“But we continue to encourage residents to take heed of our warnings,” said Farawo.
“When we go out doing our awareness campaigns, residents must take heed of our warnings.
“They must listen to our warnings when we do our educational awareness campaigns,” said Farawo.
Farawo also discouraged residents from walking along bushy paths, especially well known elephant pathways.
“This is the problem that we are facing.
“When we do our awareness campaigns some might not take us seriously but please take heed so that we can protect dear lives,” he said.
