Residents Clash with Police Over Elephant Carcass in Livingstone

Three residents of Livingstone have been injured after a confrontation with law enforcement officers over a dead elephant in Linda Township.

The incident occurred when residents discovered an elephant carcass and rushed to the scene armed with pangas, knives and axes, attempting to claim portions of the meat.

The situation quickly escalated into chaos as crowds gathered around the carcass, prompting a concerned member of the public to alert authorities.

Officers from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) responded but were met with resistance from residents who refused to disperse.

As tensions intensified, the Zambia Police Service was called in to assist. Officers used tear gas and rubber bullets to restore order after initial efforts to control the crowd failed.

Despite the intervention, residents reportedly remained determined to access the meat.

Ministry of Tourism Principal Public Relations Officer Nelly Banda confirmed the incident, which occurred around 07:00 hours.

She said three individuals sustained injuries from rubber bullets during the operation and were attended to.

Banda added that officers managed to secure the scene and successfully retrieved the elephant’s ivory.

“Efforts to restore order included the use of tear gas after initial attempts to disperse the crowd proved unsuccessful,” she said.

She urged members of the public to avoid interfering with wildlife scenes and instead report such incidents to authorities for proper handling and investigation.

Banda reiterated that the Ministry of Tourism remains committed to safeguarding both human life and wildlife, while promoting peaceful coexistence between communities and Zambia’s natural heritage.