A 19-year-old man has tragically lost his life after being mauled by a wounded buffalo in Lukusuzi National Park, Lumezi district.
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John Moyo, hailing from Chipata, was among the four poachers who ventured into the park where they encountered a wounded buffalo but unfortunately, the encounter proved fatal for Moyo who lost his life to the wounded animal.
The incident occurred on April 28, 2025 yet authorities only learned about the tragedy after a delay of three days.
According to Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer, Robertson Mweemba, on April 25, 2025, at approximately 6:00 hours, the four poachers including the now-deceased set out on a poaching expedition into Lukusuzi National Park and the group was armed with a handmade muzzle-loader rifle and planned to spend three days in the park.
Mweemba narrated that on April 28, the four encountered a group of buffalos in the Park and decided to hunt one of the male buffalos for meat but despite hitting their target and the group pursued the wounded animal.
However, the wounded buffalo did not die instantly, driven by its injuries, it circled back and attacked the group from behind.
The other three poachers were able to climb trees and escape the buffalo’s assault but Moyo was not as lucky instead, was attacked by the buffalo and ultimately lost his life.
Having seen their friend lose his life in the brutal attack, the three surviving poachers descended from the trees where they had sought refuge and as they approached their fallen companion, they found Moyo’s body covered in grievous injuries, including multiple open wounds on his stomach and other parts of his body.
“The three poachers were unable to carry their friend’s body back home, as they were faced with the prospect of walking three days back the same way they had come hence they left it in the park,” Mweemba revealed.
“Upon arrival back home, the three poachers informed Moyo’s uncle identified as Tunga Kamanga of the tragedy who in turn reported the incident to Lumezi Police Post on May 3, 2025 at 16:40 hours.”
Mweemba added that the ranger in Lundazi has since been informed about the matter and arrangements to visit the scene are being made.
By Sharon Zulu
Kalemba May 5, 2025
