Zambia’s raiding elephant…. by Peter Nyalugwe

In our Nyalugwe chiefdom in the Eastern Province of Zambia, our people suffer from animal attacks on people and from crop damage. Complaints being made are not attended to by the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) wildlife officers and village scouts of our Community Resource Board. Elephants, wildpigs, baboons are the most notorious animals to crop damage. One day a baboon walked away with a 25 kg bag of mielie meal to the bush thinking that was maize whilst chasing the other flock of the mammals. This happened at the Kasolo streams in my brother’s (Chief Nyalugwe) chiefdom. I witnessed this incident. During the 2006 and 2007 farming season none of the villagers had tasted a mango fruit because of the very notorious animals. Elephants again terrorized villagers from their granaries in search of food. There are two big bull which have brought havoc to the Nyalugwe community i.e. starting from the villges called Chamilala, Kasansamula, Nkondasoka, Kasolo gardens, Nylaugwe Palace, Kautukilo, Mzenje, Mankomba, Chilanga Gardens.

The community around the Nyalugwe Palace never sleep in their house, when the sun sets and a partial darkness i.e. around 1800 hrs the very elephants arrive then they sleep. This time the breating of drums and all sorts of irregular noise prevails i.e. chasing them away. Meanwhile ZAWA office of Nyimba sector have brought some bags of chilly for making buffer fences which another process of chasing them away from the community. A named resident of Mankhomba village was attacked (Astone Daka) around 0400 hrs whilst trying to sleep in his house thinking that the elephants have gone away which resulted in drama situation of him and the wife came out in adam suit. The very animals abruptly damaged his house due to the maize smell in their house. The couple were assisted with their neighbours to dress themselves. Another incident happened at Miss Lineli Mumba of the next village named Mzenje was equally the same. On the same day of 18 March 2007. This matter was reported to ZAWA Nyimba sector but no action has taken place.

There is also the increase in the killing of elephant for ivory. From observations, this is caused by poverty, corruption, availability of illegal weapons and lack of enforcement resources. To this regard you will found a village scout going for patrol without a uniform , boots, and a bag. Carrying their rations . This has made no different with civilians or villagers. They carry with them weapons for controlling the situation. I appeal to the responsible authoritites to motivate scouts with full kit as proper officers on duty.

Meanwhile the office of the Vice President thorugh the District Copmmissioner jof Nyimba district has assisted the community with some relief foood i.e maize and wheat which being distributed by ADRA. Remember ZAWA doesn’t compensate affected victims, even though it is their animals which damage our land and property.

An elephant bull was killed near the Chilinga reserve a few days ago by five villagers. ZAWA recovered some meat but the ivories have gone.