HLUHLUWE IMFOLOZI PARK MANAGEMENT ENGAGES STAKEHOLDERS ON HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT
The three Amakhosi who attended were Inkosi Mlaba of Mlaba/kwaXimba area, Inkosi Zulu of Mandlakazi, Nongoma, and Inkosi Hlabisa of Matshamnyama in Hlabisa During the meeting, Mr. Amos Tembe, provided clarity on three recent incidents involving a buffalo, elephants, and lions.
He explained that the buffalo incident, which happened on or around the 6th of February 2025 in Qunwane area near Hlabisa, resulted in one fatality and two injuries. It is alleged that the community attempted to hunt the buffalo, provoking it and causing it to attack an innocent passerby. The buffalo is believed to have escaped from a nearby private game reserve, as HiP is approximately 40 km from the scene, whereas private reserves are within a 5 km radius.
Despite this, Ezemvelo extended support to the bereaved family. “We had to intervene and support the family, even though we know the buffalo did not originate from our reserve. Ezemvelo has over 6,000 buffalos within HiP, and there has never been a reported attack. We appeal to communities to refrain from provoking escaped wildlife, as doing so endangers innocent lives,” Mr. Tembe stated.
In a separate incident on the 18th February 2025, a head of approximately 50 elephants that had escaped from HiP were successfully returned, except for one which had to be destroyed due to gunshot wounds. They had escaped through a fence that was cut by the illegal hunters inside HiP. Community members in attendance were concerned that human-wildlife conflicts will persist if there are still individuals that continue to cut fences and illegally hunt within HiP.
“We grew up knowing that those who bring disrepute to their communities are expelled. I appeal to Amakhosi to reinstate such disciplinary measures to deter those who cut fences and put lives at risk,” said Mr. H. Nkosi, one of the community representative in attendance.
Mr Tembe also provided an update on the widely reported lion incidents that had been causing distress in the Gluckstadt community. The lions were destroyed, and an investigation is underway to determine their origin, as they were not branded.
The significance of this engagement was observed where Stakeholders proposed several collaborative solutions to mitigate human-wildlife conflict, including:
- Clearing vegetation along the fence perimeter to enhance visibility and prevent illegal fence-cutting.
- Increasing community conservation education programs as well visits to schools to educate children on wildlife safety.
- Erecting a cable fence capable to prevent elephant escapes.
- Painting the fence to improve visibility and discourage fence theft in HiP.
Another issue raised was the false reporting of livestock predation to claim compensation. Community members were urged to desist from this practice, as it constitutes a criminal offense and defeats the purpose of this compensation efforts by Ezemvelo.
Mr. Tembe welcomed the recommendations and assured stakeholders that Ezemvelo would implement feasible solutions while engaging relevant authorities on matters requiring high-level decision-making.
For enquiries, you can contact Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Communications Manager.
Musa Mntambo
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife: Communications Manager
Tel: +27 (0) 33 845 1743
Cell: +27 (0) 83 284 9586
Email: