Thirsty hippo attacks, kills man in drought-hit Lamu as animals and humans fight for water
A pod of hippos at a river bank. A middle-aged man was on November 24, 2016 attacked and killed by a hippo as he cut trees in a bush in Mkunumbi Village in Lamu County. Biting drought has worsened human-wildlife conflict in the county as animals search for water and food. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- KWS Commander Jacob Orale appealed to locals to keep away from bushes and forests especially at this time of biting drought.
- This latest incident comes just a day after a farmer in Bodhei, Lamu East, was killed by a buffalo as he was fetching water.
- Early November, a middle-aged man was attacked and gored to death by a buffalo in Kililana, Lamu West.
- Mr Orale said the number of roaming wild animals has greatly increased due to the current drought.
A man was on Thursday morning attacked and killed by a hippo as he cut trees in a bush in Mkunumbi Village in Lamu County.
Mr Omar Mohamed Maalim, 33, met his death after the thirsty hippo emerged from a thicket and attacked him, killing him on the spot.
Confirming the incident on Friday, Lamu County Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Commander Jacob Orale appealed to locals to keep away from bushes and forests especially at this time of biting drought.
Mr Orale said the number of roaming wild animals has greatly increased due to the current drought as the animals move out of their habitats in search of food and water.
The clearing of forests especially in areas earmarked for mega industrial projects like the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor (Lapsset) corridor has also been cited as a major contributor to the increased human-wildlife conflict in the county.
HIPPO LOOKING FOR WATER
“The deceased died after being attacked by a hippo that we suspect was looking for water.
“Unfortunately, due to the drought, we are experiencing a situation where wild animals are now coming closer to human residences in search of food and water.
“In the meantime, it will help for people stay away from bushes and forests to avoid being attacked,” said Mr Orale.
Commenting on the incident, the chairman of the committee responsible for compensation of victims of wildlife attacks in Lamu Mr Ali Shebwana asked locals to desist from occupying wildlife habitats in order to avoid being attacked, killed or injured, especially during the current drought period.
Mr Shebwana said there is need for proper strategies by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources to ensure all those affected by human-wildlife conflict in the county are compensated.
This latest incident comes just a day after a farmer in Bodhei, Lamu East, was killed by a buffalo as he was fetching water.
Early November, a middle-aged man was attacked and gored to death by a buffalo in Kililana, Lamu West.
Residents have now called on KWS to contain the animals in order to prevent more deaths.
