Stakeholders unite to tackle deadly human-wildlife conflict in Vic Falls

 STAKEHOLDERS in the resort city of Victoria Falls have resolved to escalate community awareness and strengthen collaborative efforts to combat the rising tide of human-wildlife conflict that has claimed several lives in recent months.

This emerged during a high-level stakeholder meeting convened by the Victoria Falls City Council at the council chambers recently. 

The gathering brought together local authorities, Government departments, conservation partners, and residents to deliberate on practical solutions to the crisis.

City mayor, Councillor Prince Thuso Moyo, said the safety of residents remains the foremost priority, which led them to convene the meeting.

“Our residents have been attacked and killed while going about their daily lives, walking home from work, moving within communities, or carrying out routine activities,” he said.

Clr Moyo noted that while Victoria Falls is blessed with wildlife and natural heritage, co-existence must be guided by clear policies that protect human life. 

He also called for the operationalisation of the Government-driven “Human-Wildlife Conflict Compensation Fund” to ensure affected families receive timely support.

The meeting observed a minute of silence in memory of community members who have succumbed to attacks.

Delivering the technical perspective, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) senior ecologist, Ms Maxine Tadyanehondo, urged residents to exercise extreme caution. 

She advised the public to study animal behaviour and avoid moving at night, particularly while under the influence of alcohol.

“We will continue to respond to distress calls and eliminate problem animals, but there is a critical need to raise awareness so that people understand the risks,” Ms Tadyanehondo said. 

“Wild animals are unpredictable, and we must adapt our behaviour to stay safe.”

The year 2026 has already witnessed tragic incidents in and around Victoria Falls. 

Authorities have recorded at least five deaths linked to elephant and crocodile attacks in the district since the beginning of the year, intensifying fears among communities living on the fringes of wildlife habitats.

Stakeholders at the meeting agreed to intensify public awareness campaigns and foster real-time communication between Zimparks and residents. 

The City Council also pledged to explore long-term mitigation measures, including the erection of wildlife barriers and the improvement of lighting in high-risk areas.

Residents were urged to report sightings promptly and to remain vigilant at all times.

Zimparks revealed that Zimbabwe recorded a sharp rise in human-wildlife conflict (HWC), driven largely by climate-induced environmental pressures, with more than 60 lives lost in 2025 alone.

The authority also noted with deep concern the continued escalation of conflict cases since 2023, a trend directly linked to climate change and intensifying competition for dwindling water and grazing resources.

The alarming increase forms part of a wider regional and global pattern, where shifting weather patterns and habitat degradation are pushing wildlife and humans into closer, more frequent and often dangerous contact.

According to ZimParks data, reported cases increased from 1,654 in 2024 to 2,090 in 2025, a 26 percent jump.

While response teams attended to over 99 percent of reported cases, the human and economic toll has been severe.

The year 2025 saw 62 fatalities and 81 injuries, up from 49 deaths and 90 injuries the previous year. Livestock losses are more than doubled, from 362 in 2024 to 801 in 2025.

Source: Stakeholders unite to tackle deadly human-wildlife conflict in Vic Falls (18/03/2026)