A man from the Mabaleni area under Chief Nelukoba in Dete, Hwange District, Matabeleland North Province, is recovering from serious injuries after surviving a vicious hyena attack that occurred last Thursday evening.
The victim, Wiseman Ngozo, was reportedly ambushed by the wild animal around 8:00 PM while making his way home on foot. The hyena struck suddenly under the cover of darkness, inflicting severe injuries before fleeing. Ngozo sustained a fractured arm and a deep facial wound in the attack, which local residents say could have easily turned fatal.
Speaking to reporters, Ngozo’s wife, Gloria Shoko, said the family is still in shock over the incident. “My husband was just walking home from visiting a friend when the hyena pounced on him. It was dark, and he had no idea the animal was nearby until it attacked. It could have been much worse if he hadn’t fought back,” she said.
According to Shoko, this is not the first time residents in the area have encountered dangerous wildlife. She said hyenas and even lions have been spotted roaming through villages in search of food and water—an increasingly common occurrence as Zimbabwe grapples with a surge in human-wildlife conflict.
“These animals are no longer just in the forests. They’re coming into our communities, attacking people and livestock. We live in fear. Something has to be done before more people lose their lives,” Shoko added.
Man Mauled by Hyena in Hwange Narrowly Escapes Death
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZIMPARKS) has confirmed the incident. In a statement, spokesperson Tinashe Farawo said that wildlife overpopulation and habitat loss are driving wild animals into populated areas, heightening the risk of encounters with humans.
“Our biggest challenge continues to be the overpopulation of wild animals within protected areas. Limited space and scarce resources mean that many of these animals are now venturing into human settlements,” Farawo explained. “We urge members of the public, especially those in rural and border communities, to avoid walking at night and to report any sightings of dangerous animals immediately.”
He added that ZIMPARKS has been conducting awareness campaigns across the country to educate communities about how to avoid dangerous encounters with wild animals, particularly during nighttime when most attacks occur.
Human-wildlife conflict has escalated sharply in recent years across Zimbabwe, especially in areas close to national parks and game reserves. The combination of severe drought, shrinking natural habitats, and increasing animal populations has forced wildlife to search for food and water beyond their natural boundaries.
According to ZIMPARKS statistics, the first quarter of 2025 has already seen 18 human fatalities linked to wild animal attacks. In addition to that, 32 people have been seriously injured. The most common animals involved in these attacks include lions, hyenas, elephants, and crocodiles. Beyond human casualties, the economic impact on rural communities is also significant. During the same period, wildlife was responsible for the deaths of 53 cattle and 85 goats, affecting food security and livelihoods.
By comparison, during the same period in 2024, 15 people died and 43 were injured in similar incidents, underscoring a worrying rise in both the frequency and severity of these encounters.
Farawo emphasized that lasting solutions must involve collaborative efforts between government agencies, conservationists, and local communities. He called for investment in sustainable wildlife management programs, improved fencing around protected areas, and stronger enforcement of conservation policies.
Meanwhile, in Hwange, villagers are living in fear. Some have called on the government to deploy more rangers and improve surveillance in known conflict zones. Others have demanded that authorities implement compensation schemes for those injured or whose livestock has been killed by wildlife.
“The situation is no longer manageable for us,” said a local villager who asked not to be named. “We respect wildlife, but we also have a right to live safely in our communities. The government must act.”
As for Wiseman Ngozo, he remains in recovery at home. Family members say he is slowly healing from his injuries but remains traumatized by the attack. His wife, Gloria, said they are grateful that he survived but worry about the future if the situation remains unaddressed.
“This time, we were lucky. Next time, someone might not be,” she said solemnly.
