Rutendo Chirume
Rural communities in Masvingo have expressed frustration over restrictive laws that protect wild animals even when they destroy crops and livestock. Villagers argue that the Parks and Wildlife Act is out of touch with rural realities, where farming and small livestock are central to survival.
Under Zimbabwe’s Parks and Wildlife Act [Chapter 20:14], indigenous species such as snakes, crocodiles, rhinos and hippopotamuses are legally protected. Killing or capturing them without a permit can lead to arrest and heavy penalties.
However, villagers from Wards 10, 11, and 12 of Masvingo district said these laws leave them exposed to poverty and food insecurity.
Their concerns came out during a community engagement meeting on gender and environmental management, held recently at Ray of Hope Academy in Sikato.
The meeting was organized by the Centre for Gender and Community Development in Zimbabwe (CGCDZ) with support from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) and the Forestry Commission.
Ward 11 villager Ringisayi Zhou said the law burdens communities with devastating costs.
“Authorities always tell us not to kill protected animals, but when we lose goats and chickens, nobody comes back to help us recover.
“If the law forbids us from killing such animals, then government should establish a compensation mechanism to cushion our losses,” he said, calling for structured compensation schemes for small livestock.
Another villager, Fiona Shumba, argued that the current law feels unfair to victims of wildlife attacks.
“If a snake comes and wipes out all the chickens in my fowl run, should I just fold my hands and watch? The law says I must not kill it, but who will feed my children? If government wants us to protect these animals, then it must also protect us from poverty,” said Shumba.
The Human–Wildlife Conflict Policy of 2016 provides compensation for deaths or injuries caused by large animals such as elephants, buffalo, or lions, but excludes smaller yet economically devastating losses such as goats, chickens, or cattle attacked by snakes, crocodiles or birds of prey.
Responding to the concerns, Violet Rugeje, a ZimParks official, urged communities to adopt coexistence practices while government explores long-term solutions.
“While there is no compensation mechanism in place yet, we continue to emphasize the need to embrace coexistence practices such as improving fowl runs, securing kraals, and reporting incidents.
“ZimParks also offers training and awareness programs on how to protect oneself from such animals or capture them safely without killing,” she said.
According to ZimParks records, in the first quarter of 2025 alone, wild animals killed 18 people and injured 32 others nationwide. Livestock losses were also significant, with 53 cattle and 85 goats killed.
