‘Cow bells are a risk’

A Victoria Falls wildlife agency has urged cattle farmers in Matabeleland North to dump the traditional cow bells saying they expose livestock to attacks by wild animals in hotspots.

Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust ( VFWT) manager Roger Barry said research in wildlife hotpots has shown that wild animals were using the cow bells to locate and prey on the cattle.

“We did research and the data we collected showed that 75% of all cows that were killed had bells on them.

“Actually, lions listen to the bells and use that sound to locate the cattle.

“The bells are sort of a dinner bell,” Barry said. "The best way to protect livestock from wild animals is to have ‘predator-proof bomas,’ which are kraal-like structures erected to prevent wild animals’ attacks on livestock, particularly lions."

Barry said VFWT is working with communities to construct community bomas.

“A community boma can have 10 to 20 families who put their cattle together and can hold 240 cattle,” he said.