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Michael Magoronga Midlands Correspondent
A group of marauding hyenas is wreaking havoc in Silobela, amid indications that villagers have lost livestock in the past month.

The most affected farmers are in Sindingulwazi and Vungu areas, according to Zibagwe Rural District Council chief executive Mr Farayi Machaya.

Addressing a full council meeting on Tuesday, Mr Machaya said they received reports of buffaloes and hyenas in the area.

Buffalos pose a danger to the livestock since they can transmit foot-and-mouth disease to cattle, while hyenas are killing livestock in the area.

“We are warning villagers of Sindingulwazi area and their surrounding areas like Msilahobe to be aware of the hyenas that have wreaked havoc in the area,” said Mr Machaya.

“We have received reports that so far they are devouring goats, sheep and calves, although we couldn’t quantify them. We are, therefore, warning villagers to stay alert and alert our rangers if they see them.”

Mr Machaya said the council rangers failed to locate the hyenas when they once responded to a report.

“They attended the scene and tracked the tracks but failed to locate them,” he said. “There are some who are still on the ground trying to address the situation.”

The hyenas, Mr Machaya said, had been reportedly attacking dogs, putting them at risk of getting rabbis.

Mr Machaya said a buffalo had been spotted among cattle in Sesombe are in Zhombe.

“We also received reports of a buffalo that was spotted among a herd of cattle in Zhombe,” he said. “Again just like in Silobela, we sent our rangers who again attended the scene although they failed to locate the said buffalo.”

Mr Machaya said the buffalo exposed the cattle to foot and mouth disease.

“Although it is not a serious threat to humans, the buffalo stands as a serious threat to cattle because it is a serious source of foot and mouth disease,” he said.

“We have instructed our rangers to attend to the scene as soon as possible to avoid farmers losing their livestock.”

The wild animals are believed to have escaped from nearby Chirisa Game Park and if located they would be driven back into the park.

A few months ago, a lion which had caused havoc devouring cattle and other livestock was shot dead by council rangers working closely with the Department of Parks and Wildlife Management.