Zimbabwe is home to more than 100,000 elephants - while the country says it has the capacity to accomodate only half that number.
Many villagers are complaining that raids by the wild herds are wreaking havoc to their crop fields and crucial livelihoods, so they are taking the initiative to safeguard their property.
But a controversial government scheme called Campfire, which aims to conserve the protected animal, is proving to be a heavy burden on their efforts.
Haru Mutasa reports from Zambezi Valley.
Interview with Newton Kanhema of the Zimbabwe Independence Assistance Network talks about Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's U.S. visit.