In what seems like a biannual event, fifty two (52) buffaloes have died in a stampede in the Kafue National Park in Itezhi Tezhi district in central province.
ZANIS staffer Frederick Mwansa reports that the carcasses of buffaloes were discovered by Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) officers during their tour along the Musa River in the southern part of the Kafue National Park.
Mwansa reports that when contacted Itezhi Tezhi district commissioner George Sichula confirmed the development adding that the sad development took place last Friday night.
“ 52 buffaloes were found dead in the Kafue National Park along Musa River. They are believed to have died in a stampede and ZAWA officers are investigation the cause of the stampede” Mr. Sichula said.
This is the third time a huge number of buffaloes have died in similar manner at the same place.
And most of the carcasses which were floating in the Musa River have since been scavenged by some local people.
In September 2009, 35 buffaloes died at the same area and ZAWA attributed the stampede to lions that were chasing the buffaloes
In August 2012 another 81 buffaloes died in a similar manner at the same river In the Kafue national park.
The wild animals usually move in herds of about one thousand and when they are disturbed they run in the same direction causing stampede.
Meanwhile a police officer based at Itezhi Tezhi police station is feared dead after boat in which he was travelling capsized on Lake Itezhi Tezhi.
Itezhi Tezhi District Commissioner George Sichula has confirmed the incidence adding that the development occurred on Saturday.
Mr. Sichula who named the missing police officer as Maxwell Madubeko said the boat reportedly capsized following huge waves and that five people survived the accident and managed to swim to the shore.
‘As of yesterday the rescue team was still looking for the missing police officer who was a trained coxswain” Mr. Sichula said.
imwe your thieves, lairs and poachers,,,,, buffaloes are tough animals!!,,, Stampede caused by what bush fire?, earthquake?, mudslid and floods? what??,,, an stampede must have a trigger,,, whats the trigger?,,, those buffaloes were possibly poisoned by poachers,,,, i
Masebo had all these things under control.
Umunani, Ndiyo! Fire up the Braai!!!
I hope they shipped a 50kg of steak to Ba Sata.
@Nubia, thats a delicious comment
this sounds simplistic! of all causes of death???
Where is the meat?
Its a Lie, Bloody liars you are now ripping us off!
I feel SAD whn animals die. It pains alot !!
This is far too many animals. If this is recurring how about making a plan? This is a tragedy deserving a national mourning.
What a huge loss!
How big are these herds of buffulo for 52 animals to be stampeded? 1000 animals. How did the end up floating in the river? This laziness with our journalists has to end we know you’re not paid enough but please have some pride in your work.
Wake up! !
Please allow me to dispose the carcasses. I dont trust these bembaz. it will end up in pot.
Anthrax chabe! Beware of eating dead things! Eat living things like fruits and veggies and live longer! Zawa should do better than this. Investigate the root cause and not just speculating about the possible cause!
Three times the event has been repeating itself and we do not know the cause, where are our conservationists. We are not getting the detailed explanation to this sad event because the explanations are coming from politicians, where are the technocrats to give us an insight on this matter… Something need to be urgently done to save the loss of more buffaloes.
The animals LOOK underFED LIKE MOST ZAMBIANS IN PF Government , so we dont mind losing such animals
If this continues at this rate we’ll soon run out of these beautiful animals. Please find out the cause and stop it.
Lete cimambala kuno endesha kunko mulilo uleke tutekepo kakuli uleke njise ndememo inkondwa.
Uko…Free Dingi…
At Dingi!!!!!!!!!!!!!! that Nalusanga gate in Mumbwa has stories on game meat. its normal to have a buffalo stampede. it shows that our animal population is growing. in the wild there’s a survival of the fittest the weakly are tramped on and die. Many things can cause a stampede in animals, usually loud noises or being chased or attacked by a predator or trapped by bush fires. however, before consuming the meat let the veterinary officers certify the meat disease free.
Annual event on animals in Zambia only.Same time,same place same month.We should be camping near the place in the near future to find out the truth on this event.