Mutoko three year-old toddler mauled by hyenas at church

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A three year-old Mutoko boy was mauled by a hyenas during a church gathering on Sunday as cases of human-wildlife conflicts continue to rise in Zimbabwe.

The boy is admitted at Sally Mugabe Hospital in Harare to receive treatment for yet to be disclosed injuries suffered during the attack.

Zimparks early this month said 64 people were killed by wild animals since the beginning of the year.

A Mutoko girl was mauled by hyenas during a church gathering on Sunday

Tinashe Farawo, Zimparks spokesperson, confirmed the incident and urged communities to be more vigilant as more dangerous animals were venturing into human settlements.

“It’s a sad incident these things are happening every day we are encouraging communities to be always on the lookout,” Farawo said.

“(They) must try to minimise movements at night and try not to provoke the animals or irritate them.

“Give them space when you see them (because) this unfortunate incident happened when the family was attending a church gathering in Mutoko.”

A number of people have been trampled to death by elephants in areas bordering national parks such as Victoria Falls.