Victoria Falls residents call for protection after elephant attacks
- Southerton Business Times
- Mar 2
- 2 min read
By Anna Miti
The incidents occurred along Kazungula Road and the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Road in Chinotimba, within days of each other. The attacks have intensified fears in neighbourhoods that border wildlife corridors, where elephants increasingly move through residential areas.
What residents say
Residents described growing alarm as elephants appear more frequently on roads and near homes, often at night. Nkosana Ndebele said people now live in fear and warned that children and drivers are at risk.
“You can be driving home at night, and suddenly, there are elephants in the road. Our children cannot even walk freely. Now two people are dead in just one week. It’s too much,” he said.
In Garikai, a high‑density suburb, residents reported crop destruction and damaged fences. One resident said elephants “wreak havoc,” destroying maize and forcing families to flee when animals pass through. Similar concerns were raised in Mkhosana’s Omfelandawonye area, where encounters are becoming more common.
Kelvin Moyo, chairperson of the Victoria Falls Combined Residents Association, extended condolences to the bereaved families and urged stronger protection measures and support for affected households. He also advised residents to avoid walking at night and asked tourism companies to provide transport for staff finishing late shifts.
Political response and legal framework
The area’s Member of Parliament, Vusumuzi Moyo, raised the incidents in Parliament, framing the problem as one that touches on development and human dignity as well as wildlife management. He urged swift implementation of the Parks and Wildlife Act in communities bordering protected areas and called for coordinated action to protect residents.
Residents and local leaders want a mix of short‑term and longer‑term measures to reduce human‑wildlife conflict and improve safety:
Rapid response patrols and increased presence of wildlife rangers along known corridors and roads at high‑risk times.
Temporary road signage and speed restrictions in areas with frequent elephant movements, especially at night.
Community awareness campaigns on safe behaviour near wildlife, including avoiding walking at night and reporting sightings promptly.
Support for affected families, including counselling, financial assistance, and help with funeral arrangements.
Mitigation measures such as reinforced fencing, crop protection techniques, and community early‑warning systems were feasible.
Engagement with tourism operators to provide safe transport for late‑shift staff and to coordinate reporting of wildlife movements.
Human settlements expanding into wildlife corridors, seasonal changes in forage and water availability, and increasing elephant populations in some areas can all raise the frequency of encounters. Balancing wildlife conservation with community safety requires coordinated action by Parks and Wildlife authorities, local government, traditional leaders, conservation NGOs, and communities.
Experts typically recommend integrated approaches that combine deterrents, land‑use planning, compensation or support schemes for losses, and community participation in monitoring and response. Implementation can be resource-intensive and requires clear roles, funding, and timely action.
Victoria Falls elephant attacks 2026
Comments