Lion Kills Miner In Zambezi Escarpment
A 44-year-old man from Hurungwe died at Karoi District Hospital last Thursday, a day after he was mauled by a lion while returning from illegal mining activities in the Zambezi escarpment.
The attack occurred around 8 pm on Wednesday, 15 April, in Chikede Village, Ward 9 of Hurungwe Rural District Council, under Hurungwe North constituency.
In a statement, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) spokesperson Luckmore Safuli confirmed that Tinashe Tadzimigwa was walking home from Mkanga with other villagers when he was attacked by a lone, elderly lion.
His companions managed to drive the animal away, but Tadzimigwa sustained severe abdominal injuries.
He was rushed to Karoi District Hospital, approximately 70 kilometres away, where he succumbed to his injuries at around 1.30 pm on 16 April.
Villagers said Tadzimigwa had been among illegal gold panners operating in the Mkanga and Jechenene Mountain areas, which also form part of wildlife habitat zones.
“The deceased fought relentlessly with the old lion, which is too old to hunt active prey. Help came too late,” said Dickson Kabura, a local villager.
More: NewsDay
