Lions suspected in drowning of 400 buffaloes in Botswana
On Wednesday morning local people woke up to find hundreds of dead buffaloes in the Chobe River. PHOTO | SERONDELA LODGE
What you need to know:
Namibia said the buffalo meat would be donated to the local community and carcasses were being collected.
Gaborone
More than 400 buffaloes believed to have been chased by lions drowned in a river in northern Botswana this week, the government said.
The mass drowning occurred on Tuesday night in Chobe River on the border with Namibia.
Investigations by authorities in both countries "suggest that an exceptionally large buffalo herd was grazing in Namibia when they stampeded into the Chobe River," Botswana's Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism said in a statement late Wednesday.
"Initial indications are that they were being chased by a pride of lions," it said.
More than 400 buffaloes believed to have been chased by lions drowned in a river in northern Botswana this week. Locals have been allowed to feast on the meat. PHOTO | BBC
"It is estimated that more than 400 animals drowned due to the massive movement of buffalo trampling, and falling from steep river banks."
Buffalo river drownings are not uncommon in the region, but the numbers are usually small.
The mass drowning of buffaloes occurred on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 in Chobe River on the Botswana-Namibia border. Buffalo river drownings are not uncommon in the region, but the numbers are usually small. PHOTO | BBC
Namibia's Environment Minister Pohamba Shifeta said that the incident was "unfortunate" but due to natural causes.
About 1,000 buffalo had struggled to get over a river bank when the stampede started, he said. Three lions were seen in the area.
Namibia's Environment Minister Pohamba Shifeta said that the buffalo drowning incident was "unfortunate" but due to natural causes. PHOTO | BBC
Namibia said the buffalo meat would be donated to the local community and carcasses were being collected.
