THE Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has confirmed that starvation is behind the deaths of buffalo at Gache Gache Fishing Camp in Kariba.
Locals recently reported buffalo carcasses drifting near Tsetse Island. An aerial survey by ZimParks later identified 28 dead buffalo.
Laboratory tests have ruled out anthrax, with ZimParks spokesperson Tamirirashe Mudzingwa saying evidence point to starvation and related liver damage as the primary causes.
“Signs of poor body condition were evident in the affected herd of over 200 buffalo and three herds had confined themselves to a narrow stretch, limiting movement and forage,” he said.
ZimParks is now coordinating with wildlife veterinarians to monitor the remaining herd and improve grazing options, while community leaders and the fishing camp await further updates.
The deaths come as drought, erratic Zambezi River flow and shrinking floodplains continue to squeeze available grazing space, cutting off traditional corridors.
Gache Gache sits within a CAMPFIRE zone and the loss of buffalo poses a threat to local livelihoods that depend on fishing and low-volume wildlife tourism.
“The authority will continue to monitor the condition and movements of the buffalo herd closely. Should the animals persist in confining themselves to the same area, measures will be taken to drive the herds to other areas, including the islands, to improve their chances of survival,” Mudzingwa said.
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He assured stakeholders that mitigation was underway and urged continued vigilance from camp operators and nearby communities to safeguard the remaining buffalo population.
Gache Gache Fishing Camp chairperson Tichaona Manzungu said the deaths were a blow to the community.
“It hurts our livelihoods and undermines the conservation spirit we have been nurturing,” he said.
