Villagers from Fubawulu in Bulilima District are living in fear after a herd of buffaloes were seen roaming around a local dam. The buffaloes, numbering seven, are believed to be on a migratory trek from the Hwange National Park.
Fubawulu dam is fast drying up, raising fears amongst villagers that the herd will encroach into human settlements in search of water. Last week, a villager from Ndolwane area suffered injuries after being attacked by a buffalo. According to eyewitnesses, the-attack was non-aggravated as the buffalo charged at the unsuspecting victim who was about his chores in the bush. The buffalo was later gunned down by local rangers.
Buffalos are known to attack victims with minimum aggravation.
Bulilima Ward 10 Councillor, Mr Sikhumbuzo Dube raised fears of impending attacks on school children walking long distances in secluded bushy areas. “We are fearful of attacks on our children as they walk to school early in the morning,”Councillor Dube said.
Many areas surrounding Hwange National Park or close to the country’s borders have been facing problems with marauding wildlife who move from border to border in search of food and water. Incidences of human-wildlife conflict are set to worsen this year as elephants and buffaloes are reportedly migrating in large numbers from the national park to Botswana due to dwindling reserves.
Migration, which is largely influenced by climate change has also been aided by vandalism of boundary line solar fencing meant to prevent human and wildlife interactions.
Village Head Linos Khumalo, a traditional leader from Jutshume village, alluded to fears of a human-wildlife conflict as the buffalos are likely to move closer to their homes in search of water. Village head Khumalo said the restoration of an electric fence that was erected to provide a buffer between wildlife and human settlements is an urgent solution to the crisis.
“Let’s have the fence re-installed, this will help reduce wildlife encroachment into our village,” He said.
