Kariba, Zimbabwe – The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) is mourning the tragic loss of veteran ranger Josphat Mandishara, who was killed by an elephant during a routine patrol in Kariba.
Mandishara, 62, was on an extended patrol in the Gatche-gatche area on March 13, 2025, when the fatal incident occurred. Accompanied by two fellow ZimParks rangers and a Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officer, he had returned to the harbor where their boat was docked when an elephant unexpectedly charged at him. The attack proved fatal, despite his extensive experience in the field.
His colleagues later transported his remains to Kariba District Hospital for a post-mortem, and authorities swiftly reported the incident to the police.
In response to the tragedy, ZimParks has deployed rangers from the Charara Safari Area to address the problem elephant. The agency emphasised its commitment to both staff safety and wildlife conservation, vowing to take necessary precautions to prevent future incidents.
“The safety of our staff and wildlife is our utmost priority,” ZimParks stated.
The passing of Ranger Mandishara is a significant loss to Zimbabwe’s conservation community. Having dedicated his life to protecting the country’s wildlife, he will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to preserving Zimbabwe’s natural heritage. ZimParks Director General, Prof. Edson Gandiwa, extended condolences to Mandishara’s family, friends, and colleagues, acknowledging his dedication and service to wildlife conservation.
Occupational hazards of wildlife conservation
The tragic death of Ranger Mandishara is not an isolated incident. Zimbabwe has witnessed similar cases where wildlife rangers lost their lives to elephant attacks during patrols:
December 2013 – Chirundu: Mukusa Mathews, a 49-year-old ZimParks ranger, was fatally attacked by an elephant while on patrol at Rifa Education Camp. Despite firing a warning shot, the elephant did not stop and inflicted fatal injuries.
October 2013 – Hwange National Park: A 61-year-old ranger was attacked and killed by three elephants when he stepped out of his patrol base and encountered them unexpectedly.
October 2021 – Victoria Falls: Clever Kapangasa, a senior officer with the Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit, was trampled to death by an elephant during a routine patrol. Despite following prescribed evasive actions, the elephant continued its charge, leading to the fatal incident.
These cases highlight the immense risks faced by wildlife rangers who work in areas with significant elephant populations. As human-wildlife conflict continues to rise, conservationists stress the need for improved ranger safety measures and better strategies for managing problem animals.