A man checks on a carcass of an eland recently killed by prowling lions in Vumba.
A PRIDE of stray lions has put villagers in Lower Vumba in panic mode with reports that the predators were yesterday (Thursday) spotted at two homesteads in the tourist resort area, putting humans and livestock in danger.
The lions came from Mozambique where they were said to have left a trail of destruction after killing cattle and goats.
A senior warden officer with the Department of Parks and Wildlife Mr Mubvanyika said they were carrying out awareness campaigns in the area to inform villagers of the imminent danger.
He said some of his officers were tracking the lions for possible relocation to the Save Conservancy when captured.
“We are currently doing awareness campaigns in the area. I have just visited headman Mutero and the local councillor who have hinted that they will soon conduct traditional rites aimed at driving away the lions from the area back to where they came from. The lions have not attacked humans but they killed an eland near Leopard Rock Hotel,” he said.
When The Manica Post visited the area yesterday morning, wildlife rangers were busy informing villagers and tourists of the impending danger.
“Apart from talking to people we are also tracking the animals basing on information we get from villagers. Some of the villagers said they saw the lions at their homesteads. Yesterday, the lions were spotted neat White Horse Inn. We also heard that they were seen at Falling Waters,” said a ranger who requested anonymity citing protocol.
The director of White Horse Inn, Mr Frank Marembo, said one of his workers saw the predators.
“I quickly called the wild life rangers who came and camped here. They tracked the animals but they found nothing. We recently purchased sheep and cattle and these lion reports put us in a difficult position. Our livestock is in danger and we hope that they will be captured and relocated to a game park,” he said.