In the lovely country of Zimbabwe, humans and wildlife are playing a thrilling game of “who can survive the other.” Recent incidents in Kariba have left two men fighting for their lives after encounters with a hippo and a crocodile. Because, you know, a day at the lake or in the grounds is always a gamble with death.

The two men were attacked in separate incidents on the same day. One victim was mauled by a hippo in Chemhere grounds, suffering severe injuries, including a deep cut on his leg. The other man was attacked by a crocodile while fishing in Lake Kariba, with the reptile’s powerful jaws clamping down on his arm. Both victims were rushed to Nyamhunga Clinic for initial treatment before being transferred to Kariba District Hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment.

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority has pinpointed the culprit behind these deadly encounters: habitat loss. Who wouldn’t want to venture into human settlements when their home is being destroyed? It’s not like animals have a choice. The result? A whopping 300 human fatalities between and 2024. Just a small price to pay for living near a national park, right?

Local residents are now worried about their safety, mainly because they’re forced to fish in areas teeming with wildlife to survive. Councillor George Masendu pointed out the obvious: people need jobs, and fishing is their only option. The community is demanding action, but let’s be real, what can authorities do when wildlife always gets the upper hand?

While authorities try to address the issue, more needs to be done. But let’s face it, human-wildlife conflicts are just part of life in Zimbabwe. The community will continue to live in fear, and wildlife will continue to claim lives. Just another day in paradise.

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