Beitbridge hires hunters to curb elephant clashes

Professional hunters are now on the ground in Beitbridge after elephants kept wrecking crops and threatening communities near major rivers.

Elephant conflict across the Beitbridge district

• Beitbridge Rural District Council hired professional hunters for the job.
• Elephants keep wandering into communities searching for food.
• Crops are getting destroyed, and livelihoods are at risk.
• Shashe, Dite, Lukange, and Whunga are among the hardest-hit areas.

BRDC is coordinating with multiple agencies

• CEO Kiliboni Mbedzi confirmed the council is actively responding.
• Zimparks and safari operators are part of the effort.
• Resource constraints are making full coverage tough.
• Mbedzi called the herd migratory and hard to track.

Deterrent strategies are being rolled out

• Chilli blocks and beehive fences are already in use.
• Wildlife corridors are being proposed to reduce clashes.
• Communities were urged to report elephant sightings promptly.
• Mbedzi promised the council remains committed to long-term fixes.