By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
At least 109.2 hectares of crops have been wiped out by elephants in Beitbridge District in less than three months, severely affecting food security and livelihoods.
The damage, recorded between January 1 and March 18, 2026, has affected a wide range of crops including sorghum, maize, millet, watermelons and groundnuts at various stages of growth.
BBRDC revealed the figures during a full council meeting held on Monday, where human-wildlife conflict was highlighted as a growing concern across the vast district.
In addition to crop losses, 85 livestock comprising cattle, goats, sheep and donkeys have been killed by nocturnal predators during the same period.
BBRDC said several interventions are being implemented to reduce further losses, including responding to Problem Animal Control (PAC) calls and the use of chilli blocks to deter elephants, particularly in Wards 8 and 10.
But councillors are concerned about the increasing scale of destruction and called for more effective community protective measures.
In response, BBRDC Communal Area Management Programme For Indigenous Resources (Campfire) officer, Samson Sibanda said elephant populations have increased in most wards, except Wards 3 and 15, while limited resources are hampering response efforts.
“We only have one officer, and resources are inadequate to cover all affected areas,” he said.
He said 15 elephants have so far been culled under control measures in some wards.
Sibanda also warned that illegal settlements are worsening the situation, with some communities encroaching into trafitionally wildlife habitats.
The escalating conflict continues to pose a serious threat to rural livelihoods and food security in Beitbridge district where coincidentally humans are exoected to co-exist with wildlife under Campfire.