Hippo that killed tourist at Lake Naivasha shot dead

Hippos at Lake Naivasha. KWS has shot and killed the hippo that mauled a tourist from Taiwan at Lake Naivasha. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The tourist was on Saturday evening attacked and killed by the hippo on the shores of the fresh water lake.
  • KWS said the tourist was taking pictures when he was attacked.
  • His colleague Mr Wu Peng Te, 62, who survived the tragic encounter, is recuperating at Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort.

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has shot and killed the hippo that mauled a tourist from Taiwan at Lake Naivasha.

KWS Hell’s Gate park warden Nelson Cheruiyot said the hippo was shot hours after the incident.

“Our officers tracked and shot the animal after the incident,” said Mr Cheruiyot.

The tourist was on Saturday evening attacked and killed by the hippo on the shores of the fresh water lake.

KWS said the tourist was taking pictures when he was attacked.

Mr Chang Ming Chuang, 66, was pronounced dead on arrival at the Naivasha District Hospital.

SURVIVOR

His colleague Mr Wu Peng Te, 62, who survived the tragic encounter, is recuperating at Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort.

Meanwhile, fishing stakeholders are now blaming the escalating human-wildlife conflict around Lake Naivasha on the encroachment of riparian land.

Boat Owners Association (BOA) Chairman David Kilo said some the private institutions have erected structures at the edges of the vital natural resource.

"We regret the Saturday incident which was quite unfortunate, but institutions that have erected structures around the riparian land should bring them down," said Mr Kilo.

He asked the government to crack the whip on encroachers just like it is doing in Nairobi.

ENCROACHMENT

The BOA chairman said the encroachment has affected the wild animals’ grazing areas, leading to the current conflict.

He also faulted the KWS for killing the hippo.

"Our question as lake stakeholders is, which methodology did they use to eliminate the animal? For me it was a knee jerk reaction," said Mr Kilo.

Mr Kilo said the hippos are a favourite attraction to local and international tourists.

But Mr Cheruiyot defended the action by the agency's enforcement unit, describing the animals as "highly territorial."

"The enforcement team is well trained on such matters and those faulting the killing are missing the point," said the official.