Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. A Kwekwe man was fatally trampled by an elephant while taking a selfie just outside the gold-mining town located in Midlands Province.
The man, whose name could not be ascertained, is said to have been gored and dragged for some metres before being trampled by the provoked jumbo in Ward 30 resettlement area.
The deceased man’s colleague is said to be battling for life at Kwekwe General Hospital.
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) shot dead the killer elephant and another jumbo that was spotted heading towards the residential areas.
It was free for all for villagers in Ward 30 and Ward 2 when the elephants were put down as they were seen pushing and shoving to get a share of the meat.
ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo said the two jumbos were put down as they were now posing danger to human life. He said:
There were two incidents, one was when our rangers had to take down an elephant after it trampled upon a man and injured another.
The man is said to have been taking selfies with the jumbo when he was attacked by the animal.
… We had no option, but to put it down as it was now heading towards residential areas.
Villagers in Mbizo 22, Chicago, Umlala Park and the surrounding areas have been living in fear after about seven jumbos were spotted last week.
Farawo said they drove the elephants back to the Black Rhino Conservancy where they are said to have escaped from.
He, however, urged members of the public to avoid provoking the animals.
He said communities should also report such incidents as soon as they spot the animals.
