By Admore Mbonda in Kariba
At first, it seemed like a rare sighting — a few baboons loitering near Kariba District Hospital, perhaps in search of food.
But what began as an oddity has now morphed into a daily ordeal, turning the hospital into an unlikely frontline in the battle between humans and wildlife.
For the patients and staff within these walls, the hospital — a place meant to offer healing and comfort — has become a space of constant vigilance.
A Mother’s Worst Fear
Inside the maternity ward, new mothers clutch their newborns a little tighter. “We don’t sleep peacefully anymore,” one mother whispered, glancing nervously at the window. “What if they get in again?”
The fear is not irrational. The baboons, emboldened by daily visits, have made their way into wards, yanking open windows, stealing food — and even approaching sleeping patients.
Hospital staff are just as shaken. “Sometimes they come in while we’re doing rounds,” said one nurse. “They’re not afraid anymore. We shout, we bang doors, but they keep coming back.” A maintenance worker showed scratches on a door where a baboon had tried to force its way in.
Even as the medical team fights to save lives, they’re forced to fend off bold primates that aren’t just a nuisance — they’re a threat.
Theft, Damage, and Disruption
For patients recovering from surgery or illness, the baboons’ intrusion adds emotional strain to physical recovery. “I was lying in bed, half-asleep,” said one patient. “Next thing I knew, my lunch was gone. Snatched right off my tray.”
Apart from food theft, the baboons have damaged property, overturned bins, and created a general atmosphere of fear. Many patients have started keeping their windows tightly shut — even in the blistering Kariba heat.
A Cry for Help
Dr Godwin Muza, the hospital’s chief medical officer, says staff have done all they can. “We’ve reported the issue to ZimParks and the municipality. We’ve tried scare tactics and reinforced windows, but these animals are smart. Nothing seems to work.”
Why Is This Happening?
According to ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo, this isn’t an isolated case. Towns like Binga, Hwange, and Victoria Falls are grappling with similar conflicts.
“The baboon population has grown beyond what our parks can support,” he explained. “As they search for food, they’re being drawn to human spaces — especially places with poor waste management.”
But in Kariba, this explanation brings little comfort to those living in fear.
Waiting for Solutions
While ZimParks promises it is mobilizing resources to find long-term answers, patients and hospital staff continue to navigate each day with trepidation. Mothers keep their babies close. Nurses keep sticks nearby. And every rustle outside a window sends hearts racing.
For now, the people of Kariba District Hospital wait — hoping that someone, somewhere, will hear their story and act before a frightening visit becomes a tragedy.
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