Living in fear: Hwange village under siege by marauding baboons

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

In the rural village of Chisuma, Hwange district, a sense of dread has settled over the residents. Baboons, once a rare sight, have become a constant menace, wreaking havoc on homes, gardens, and livestock.

For Sikhanyiso Moyo, a PR councillor, the situation is dire. “We have a huge problem with baboons. They destroy our vegetables, attack our homes, and kill our chickens and goats. It’s like they have no season, they come anytime and cause havoc.”

Eneles Moyo, another resident, echoes similar sentiments. “We can’t even plant crops without them digging up the seeds. They prey on our chickens and goats, leaving us with nothing. It’s been years, but with the drought, it’s gotten worse. They even beat and throw rocks at our children when they try to chase them away.”

The community has tried to adapt, but the baboons seem to always be one step ahead. “We leave our homes to safeguard our crops, but they still find ways to destroy them. They even break into our homes, destroying our thatch and property,” Sikhanyiso Moyo adds.

The Parks and Wildlife Amendment Bill, currently under review, aims to address human-wildlife conflict, among other issues.

However, for the people of Chisuma, the problem is urgent and requires immediate attention. As one resident noted, “We need help now, not tomorrow. Our children are being beaten, our livestock is being killed, and our homes are being destroyed. We can’t wait any longer.”

The bill’s provisions for the Human Wildlife Conflict Relief Fund are a welcome development, but communities like Chisuma want more.

They demand compensation for crop destruction and livestock lost, as well as the administration of the fund at the district level.

As the consultations have been submitted, it’s clear that the voices of communities like Chisuma must be heard and their concerns addressed. The future of their livelihoods depends on it, Moyo says.