Human/wildlife conflict increases in Ngamiland

Boniface Keakabetse | Friday January 22, 2016 15:21

Thamalakane River has this year recorded its lowest level as it continues to go dry. Reports say other rivers in the North West District are also drying up; and the result is conflict between people who live near the river and the animals that live in water.

Deputy police officer commanding in Maun, Superintendent John Kelebeng, explained that they recently recorded a case in which a 30-year-old was attacked by a hippo while gathering river reeds used commonly as building material in the Boro area.

Kelebeng said the man was wounded on the right thigh and a deep cut on the heel. Hippos are reportedly some of the most feared and dangerous animals in Africa. Towards the end of last year, a man escaped death by a whisker at Kgangtshang cattlepost, along the Thamalakane River after a crocodile attacked him on the arm. Five people survived crocodile attacks along Tsanakona as the river resided. Crocodiles, which are also some of the feared reptiles, have increased over the years in the local rivers.

Kelebeng advised people not to gather resources or swim in hippo or crocodile-infested waters as this may put them at risk. He also advised for people not to come between hippos and waters as it may also put them at risk. According to the information from the wildlife authorities members of the public need to observe and know that the famous ‘hippo yarn’ is not a friendly smile but a sign of aggressiveness which hippo use when angry.