By Own Correspondent
Chipinge – Human-wildlife conflict continues to take its toll on communities bordering the Save Conservancy after five elephants were put down by ZimParks rangers this morning in Ward 20, Chibuwe area.
The elephants, which had strayed from the Save Valley Conservancy, destroyed the Mupodopodo Women’s Community Garden, wiping out horticultural crops worth an estimated USD 2,000. According to Agritex officer Farai Mubonani, the loss represents a significant blow to women who rely on small-scale horticulture for both household nutrition and income.
In addition, crops at the Chibuwe Irrigation Scheme—including beans, tomatoes, and cabbages—were damaged, with losses valued at approximately USD 1,500. “These damages threaten food security and undermine the hard work of local farmers,” an Agritex officer noted.
While locals were only able to harvest meat from the elephants put down, community leaders argue that such short-term relief is inadequate compared to the long-term economic and social impact of recurring wildlife invasions.
The government recently established a Human and Wildlife Conflict Fund, meant to cushion affected communities through compensation. Residents of Chibuwe say this incident is a test case of whether the fund will deliver tangible relief.
Mutema–Chibuwe CAMPFIRE project, initiated under Chipinge Rural District Council to promote community benefits from wildlife resources in the Save Valley, has not yielded meaningful results for the majority of households. Locals contend that despite living with daily risks to life, crops, and property, communities continue to shoulder the burden of conservation without fair returns.
This latest incident underscores the urgent need for a balanced approach to wildlife governance—one that ensures both conservation goals and the livelihoods of borderland communities are safeguarded.
