Wild animals destroy crops in central Mozambique

Buffalos and elephants are destroying crops in the central Mozambican province of Sofala with residents of Marromeu district expressing fear of famine, Radio Mozambique reported Saturday night. The animals are eating everything they come across in the current agricultural season at Malingapansi in Marromeu, where pockets of famine are being witnessed. The provincial governor, Carvalho Muaria, toured the region recently to inspect his government's development program in Sofala. Malingapansi is close to the Marromeu National Park, from where animals have been approaching more and more areas in search for food. One person was killed by a buffalo a few days ago in Malingapansi. A resident named Domingos Guta told the radio that this is the worst situation the areas has seen in Sofala. "Long ago, the animals were not attacking the population and never destroyed crops," he said, adding, "The animals are around us and destroy the little we have in our fields." The provincial authorities have bought a gun to chase or kill the animals in Marromeu and in other district, such as Chemba, Nhamatanda and Caia, where animals are so problematic.