Environment, Climate, and Wildlife Minister Sithembiso Nyoni has called for a holistic approach to mitigate the increasing human-wildlife conflict in the country.
Responding to a question by Hwange East legislator Joseph Bonda in Parliament recently, Minister Nyoni highlighted the need for secure fencing to protect communities from wildlife, particularly in areas like Mabale, Jwabhe, and Magoli villages, where lions have been preying on livestock.
She expressed concern at the challenges in maintaining existing fences, pointing out the situation in Hwange and Chirisa. “Hwange has a veterinary fence which was vandalized by the people. This also applies to other areas, such as Chirisa, which had the veterinary fence and has all been completely vandalized,” she said.
The minister said constructing fences capable of withstanding the strength of large animals, particularly elephants, poses a significant financial challenge. “It is important to note that it is expensive to secure fences that can stop animals such as elephants since the elephants can also come and destroy the same fence meant to stop the lions,” Nyoni said
Lions are not the only concern for these communities Nyoni said elephants, which often roam near human settlements, have become a significant threat to crops and, in some cases, human life. “Whilst lions are considered a problem also to livestock, elephants are also a problem in destruction of crops and cause injuries or death when attacking human beings. Hence, efforts to erect fences should cover all the problem species and preferably electrified with powerful voltage to stop the elephants,” Nyoni said
The Minister proposed a comprehensive approach, noting that other species such as leopards, wild dogs, hyenas, and jackals must also be considered in any fencing strategy.
“Certain species such as leopards would require very high and electrified fences. It is important that decisions around fences should not focus on lions alone but all other problem animals so that the solution is holistic,” she said.
Despite the complexity and cost of fencing, Minister Nyoni highlighted the need for strong community engagement and awareness campaigns to ensure the fences are maintained.
Previous efforts to protect wildlife corridors with fences have been undermined by vandalism.
“Strong awareness campaigns and buy-in from the communities is needed so that fences are not destroyed soon after they have been erected, such as was the case with the fences along the major roads. A well-coordinated land use plan that avoids developments within wildlife corridors is a better solution in addressing issues of human and wildlife conflict in this area and in any other,” she said.
