HARARE, March 27 (Xinhuanet) -- Residents in Hwange, some 800 km west of Zimbabwean capital Harare, are having sleepless nights following the invasion of the town by stray elephants that are destroying property and fruit trees, according to Sunday News.

    The elephants are running away from the nearby national park insearch of drinking water.

    It is believed that green trees are now scarce in the parks andthe jumbos were being attracted to the residential areas by green mango trees.

    So daring are the animals that Mpindani Mpala, a resident, got the shock of his life on Tuesday night when he spotted a giant elephant just two meters from his bedroom window.

    Another resident, Themba Chindoro, whose three mango trees weredestroyed on Thursday night, appealed to the relevant authorities to take action.

    "They are having sleepless and scary nights because of the elephants. We now fear for our lives and fruit trees," said Chindoro.

    The mango fruit, which is in season, is a delicacy and good source of income at this time of the year for many people in Hwange.

    On Monday night, the jumbos ran riot, uprooting virtually everytree at the St George's Primary School orchard, resulting in scores of pupils making a quick return home on Tuesday.

    Two weeks ago, some National Railways of Zimbabwe employees working on a faulty cable had to make good their escape after a herd of elephants made a surprise appearance at the work site. Enditem