Elephants cause havoc in Mzimba, Rumphi

Elephants are said to have terrorised some communities surrounding Vwaza Game Reserve in Mzimba and Rumphi, prompting the Department of Parks and Wildlife  to send a team to investigate the matter.

Bosco Chipeta, who lives at Kapondera Trading Centre near the protected area, said since last Tuesday people are spending sleepless nights in the area.

“We are not sleeping at home as elephants are coming to our villages now and again. They are destroying crops and houses.

“We do not know what will happen during the planting season and we call upon government to protect our crops and lives,” said Chipeta

Senior assistant parks and wildlife officer responsible for animal control Peter Wadi said government is doing everything possible to contain the situation.

“We got the first report on 2nd July that the elephants were at Chikwawa [in Rumphi]. Then on 4th July they were spotted at Elunyeni and Mpherembe [in Mzimba]. And on 8th July they were at Elunyeni and Madise,” he said.

Wadi, however, complained that people are vandalising the wire surrounding the game reserve which creates paths for the elephants.