Suspected poacher killed by hippo

A 41-year-old man from Mwenezi village outside Beit Bridge died after he was attacked and seriously injured by a hippopotamus, when he and a friend were illegally fishing in the Mutirikwi River, police have said.

Local police spokesperson Insp Peter Zhanero said the incident happened on Sunday at about 07:00. The victim  was identified as Conias Chidhino.

Zhanero said Chidhino went out fishing in the Mutirikwi River in the company of a neighbour. “Upon reaching the river, they walked along the river bank, looking for a convenient point where they could fish,” said Zhanero. He said before they could find a vantage point, a hippopotamus suddenly appeared from the river bank and charged towards them.

“After realising that the animal was charging towards them, the duo fled in different directions. The hippopotamus chased after Chidhino and caught up with him. The animal bit him on the shoulders, waist and both thighs before it left. He was left so badly injured that he could not walk and was breathing heavily while writhing in pain. Kombora took him to hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival."

News - Date: 11 March 2013

Mashudu Netsianda

Mashudu Netsianda is our correspondent in Beit Bridge, Zimbabwe. He joined us in 2006, writing both local and international stories. He had worked for several Zimbabwean publications, as well as the Times of Swaziland. Mashudu received his training at the School of Mass Communication in Harare.

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