The lion was short dead on 18 January after being tracked by ZimParks rangers assisted by the local community
Mary Timba
A marauding lion which recently killed five cattle and struck fear in villagers of Gokwe South Ward 23 was finally shot dead by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) rangers.
The lion, which had terrorised local farmers for weeks, was tracked down and killed in an operation carried out by the rangers with assistance from the local community.
The killing of the lion has brought relief to the local villagers who had lost freedom of movement due to fear of the predator.

The killing was communicated by Zimparks Midlands provincial manager Midwell Kapesa who emphasised the need to protect human and livestock life.
“The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) would like to inform the Gokwe community that the recent sightings of lions in the area have been addressed. Following reports of lion sightings over the past few days, I can safely confirm that only one male lion was present in the area. We successfully neutralised the threat on the 18th of January 2025. We extend our gratitude to all stakeholders, traditional leaders, and the local community for their cooperation and support in this matter,” said Kapesa in a statement.
The incident highlights the ongoing human-wildlife conflict in Zimbabwe, where encroaching human settlements, and diminishing natural habitat and food for wildlife have led to increased violent encounters between humans and wild animals.