TellZim reporter
A leopard is reportedly becoming a menace as it is ‘culling’ goats and dogs in Chiponda and Muzondo villages under Chief Nyajena area near Renco Mine.
The lone leopard has killed several goats which graze in Rupara, Manguma and Mangurunguma mountain range which boarders Chiponda, Muzondo and Muvango villages.
However, the most affected village is Chiponda which has since lost a sizable number of goats and dogs to the marauding cat.
Chiponda Village Head Tafirei Manyise confirmed the development saying they were appealing to the responsible authorities to intervene before the village loses more livestock.
“I have been receiving reports from villagers from people in the far end of our village who are losing goats and dogs to the leopard and we call upon the responsible authorities to come to our rescue. A lot of goats and calves have been lost and of late dogs have fallen prey to the leopard,” said Tafirei.
He said women were now afraid to fetch firewood in the mountain and also since it’s summer season, livestock are in free range while goats favour mountains.
“Since we are in summer, livestock are allowed to roam around and that’s when some mostly goats stray into the mountains and fall prey. Now women and children are afraid of going to the mountains to fetch firewood and other activities because of the leopard’s presence,” said Tafirei.
A villager Elson Mhuru said they were shocked to learn that the leopard was now killing dogs saying they have lost a considerable number of those pets.
“The leopard has a habit of keeping its kill on a tree and when it starts to decompose, dogs sense the smell and go there and when they go there, they fall prey to the leopard,” said Mhuru.
The leopard sometimes is said to cross to Chebundi mountain which is also in Chiponda village.
The leopard has been a seasonal feature in the mountains where it sometimes disappears for some months only to reappear.
Cases of human-wild conflicts have been making headlines with the most recent one being a Zaka incident where three family members were seriously injured by a hyena.
