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Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
THE Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has said it will capture and relocate baboons that have been terrorising Pumula South residents in Bulawayo.

The baboons are reportedly vandalising property and stealing food from residents.

In a statement, ZimParks public relations assistant Mr Godfrey Mkhuli said the authority assessed the situation in Pumula South and will translocate the baboons.

“ZimParks capturing unit will be engaged to capture and translocate the baboons,” said Mr Mkhuli.

He said the authority was urging the public to report any cases of human-animal conflict so that relevant teams can be sent to address the situations.

Mr Mkhuli said ZimParks only got to know about the presence of baboons in Pumula South suburb after it was reported in The Chronicle.

He said ZimParks observed that improper disposal of food by residents in the suburb was luring baboons to the area.

He said they had engaged the area’s councillor Siboniso Khumalo to mobilise residents for an awareness campaign.

The councillor will advise the authority when they could meet residents.

“The ZimParks extension and interpretation section and the public relations office will facilitate the awareness campaign focussing on the correct way of disposing food to deter baboons from coming as a proactive measure.

“Also on the agenda is to encourage residents to immediately report the cases of human wildlife conflict to ZimParks or nearest police station,” said Mr Mkhuli.

— @nqotshili