Desperate villagers cry for help as Leopards devour livestock and endanger lives
ZVISHAVANE – A spate of leopard attacks have ravaged Chief Masunda’s Ward 10, particularly Mafuhwe and surrounding communities. The villagers’ livestock are being openly slaughtered in broad daylight, sparking widespread fear for human life.
In an interview with AfroGazette News, Slivia Mhazi, a local resident shared her terrifying encounter with marauding leopards, discovering four of her goats mauled in broad day light at her home upon returning from the river.
“Daily livestock losses are devastating our community. I lost four goats in one day and now fear these predators will attack humans in their homes,” Mhazi said.
Mazvita Chabata, another villager, discovered a huge leopard attacking their cattle after being alerted by distressed mooing sounds.
“When I saw the leopard attacking our cattle, I screamed for help. People quickly responded, chasing it off and securing the kraal with lights.”
Mr. Taurai Marufu watched in horror as a leopard attacked his cattle while he was herding them near a nearby bush.
“A leopard ambushed one of my calves while I was herding. I rushed for help, overwhelmed with fear. That calf was my livelihood”.
He adds, “We beg the Zimbabwe National Parks to intervene immediately and capture the leopards to prevent further attacks on our livestock and potentially human lives.”
The leopard, the smallest of the four “Big Cats,” typically measures 6.5 feet in length. It employs two hunting strategies that are stalking prey over long distances or lying in ambush, striking from as close as 32 feet.
