Lion attacks anti-poaching guards

TWO men from Gwayi area in Matabeleland North, who were part of a community anti-poaching committee in the area, are lucky to be alive after they were attacked by a wounded lion that had escaped from a snare.

The two, Mr Mfundisi Sibanda and his colleague, Mr Canaan Sibanda who are members of an anti-poaching committee were on a routine patrol in Gwayi Ranch Farm when they came across an adult male lion that had been caught on the neck with a wire snare.

Although Zimparks spokesperson Caroline Washaya-Moyo could neither confirm nor deny the incident, villagers from the area told Sunday News that the lion got agitated when the two appeared before snapping the snare and charging at them. Villagers said as the two tried to flee, Mfundisi tripped over a log and fell down.

“We understand the two men came across a lion that had been caught on a wire snare set by poachers. From what we got from Canaan their presence seemed to have startled the lion which broke off the wire snare and charged,” said Mr Zamani Mlilo, one of the villagers.

The lion then attacked Mfundisi by tearing his thigh before leaving and giving chase to Canaan who was now a few metres from the wild cat.

However, he was saved by instinct as he sought refuge in water as he dived inside the nearby crocodile infested Gwayi River. It is understood that lions, like most cats, tend to shun water for fear of getting wet.

Upon realising that it could not pursue Canaan, the lion retraced to where Mfundisi was but he had managed to climb a tree. Canaan then managed to phone the hunting committee chairperson, Mr Pilate Ncube who then located the duo. Mfundisi was reportedly taken to the clinic before he was transferred to St Luke’s Hospital for further attention as he reportedly sustained deep wounds as a result of the attack. Chairperson of the Gwayi Valley Intensive Conservation Area Mr Mark Russell confirmed the incident.

“Only one of them was attacked while on an anti-poaching patrol with his team while the other escaped,” he said.

“The injured man was discharged from hospital after a few days and he is in good health. Parks did attempt to track it down without success so it’s still on the loose.”

The incident has sparked panic in the largely wildlife conservancy area with villagers fearing for their lives after the male lion continued to elude parks rangers. Gwayi Ranch Farm is made up of about 100 stands and is located in the Gwayi Valley Intensive Conservation Area.

ZRP Matabeleland North acting provincial spokesperson Sergeant Namatirai Mashona said she was yet to receive a report of the incident.