Zimparks rangers kill terror hippos along Limpopo river

Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau

Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority rangers have shot and killed two hippopotamuses which had unleashed a reign of terror on residents and security personnel on patrol along the Limpopo River.

The trekking and killing of the two animals follows an attack on a Zimbabwean soldier by a hippo last Friday.

The soldier, Pelious Moyo (38) was buried at his rural home in Tongwe on Tuesday morning.

Zimparks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo confirmed the incident to ZTN news.

“Our policy is that when human life is under threat from wild animals, we eliminate the animals. In this case these two hippos had a tendency of terrorising people along the Limpopo River and we had to step in and it’s very unfortunate that a human life was cut short by the animals,”said Farawo.

He encouraged members of the community to urgently report to Zimparks any problem animals.

Wild animals, especially elephants and hyenas, have become a menace in Beitbridge district, especially during the cropping season.

Elephants destroy crops and trample on humans, while hyenas prey on livestock, especially goats.