PRISCA MANYIWA-MASUKU
MIRROR REPORTER

REDCLIFF -Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife has resorted to shooting, poisoning and caging marauding baboons that are causing headaches for residents of Redcliff.
The National Parks started shooting the baboons on Wednesday last week and so far several baboons have either been killed or caged.
Redcliff Town Council Gilson Chakauya raised the problem with Zim Parks as the baboons were destroying gardens, breaking into and stealing food from houses.
In an interview with The Mirror on the sidelines of Livetouch dust emissions stakeholders meeting on Wednesday lastweek, Redcliff Municipality mayor Vincent Shangwa Masiiwa said after engagement with council to solve the baboons menace, Zim Parks has introduced three measures to do away with the baboons in Redcliff.
The baboons have been wrecking havoc in the suburbs entering homes in search of food.
“We engaged Parks and Wildlife and they started by raising awareness in the community about the measures they are about to take to control the baboons. They have three measures in place which are shooting, poisoning and luring the baboons into their cages.
“Community is being warned not to touch or consume the dead baboons because they are poisonous,” said Musiiwa.
However, the mayor revealed that the move to get rid of the baboons by killing them has been met by conflicting sentiments in communities as some residents are against the idea whilst others have embraced it.
“It quiet a tricky situation because some traditionalists are against the idea of shooting and poisoning the baboons they are saying it’s a taboo whilst others have embraced the idea,” he said.
When contacted for comment by The Mirror, Zim Parks Spokesperson Tinashe Farawo said he wanted to get in touch with the regional manager first before commenting.
“Yes, I need to contact the regional manager first then I will get back to you with full information,” said Farawo.