Wildlife Attacks Kill 62 People In Zimbabwe In 2025
A total of 62 people were killed and 81 others injured in wildlife attacks in 2025, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has reported.
Livestock losses were also significant, with 244 cattle, 39 donkeys, and 518 goats reported killed by wild animals.
ZimParks official Tamirirashe Mudzingwa said that hyenas, crocodiles, and elephants remain the most frequently reported problem animals. He said:
“Analysis of the data indicates that hyenas, crocodiles, and elephants remain the most frequently reported problem animals.
“These figures underscore the urgency of scaling up preventive measures, including early-warning systems such as collaring wildlife using Global Positioning System (GPS) and satellite technology, as well as the establishment of community conservancies.”
Zimparks says in 2025, 556 “problem animals” were neutralised as part of efforts to reduce human-wildlife conflicts.
While human fatalities from wildlife attacks increased from 49 in 2024 to 62 in 2025, the number of injuries fell slightly, from 90 to 81. Livestock losses more than doubled, rising from 362 to 801 over the same period.
The districts most affected by human-wildlife conflict include Kariba, Mbire, Chiredzi, Binga, Hwange, Hurungwe, and Nyaminyami, with hyenas, crocodiles, and elephants responsible for the majority of reported incidents. –
_ZBC News_
