A terrifying encounter between a man and a hyena has left the community in shock. Wiseman Ngozo, a resident of Mabaleni area in Hwange, was attacked by the hyena last Thursday while walking home. The incident has raised concerns about human-wildlife conflict in the area.
Ngozo, who is currently admitted to St Patrick’s Hospital, sustained serious injuries, including a fractured hand and a wound on the face. His wife, Gloria Shoko, said he was bleeding profusely when he was taken to the hospital and is still recovering.
Shoko lamented the increasing number of wild animals, including lions, that have been roaming around their community in search of food and water. “Wild animals are a serious problem here,” she said. “Even lions roam around our community, killing our goats.”
Tinashe Farawo, spokesperson for Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), confirmed receiving the report. He attributed the problem to overpopulation of wildlife, resulting in them spilling into communities. Farawo urged people to minimize walking at night to avoid attacks.
According to ZimParks, 18 people were killed by wild animals in the first quarter of 2025, with 32 more injured. The authority recorded 53 cattle and 85 goats killed in the same period. This is a concerning trend that highlights the need for effective measures to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.
As the community demands action, ZimParks is working to address the issue. The authority’s efforts to reduce human-wildlife conflict are crucial in saving lives and protecting both humans and animals.
The community is eagerly awaiting the outcome of ZimParks’ efforts to mitigate human-wildlife conflict. Will the authority’s initiatives be enough to prevent future attacks, or will the community continue to live in fear of wild animals?
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