TIRED of being terrorised by a stubborn hippo, gatvol residents of Thlaveni in Malamulele, Limpopo took their revenge on the animal.
After the hippo was caught and put down by rangers, the residents feasted on its carcass on Friday, 19 January.
According to residents, the community had been struggling with the hippos' disruptive presence for years. It's reported that hippos destroyed fences, ate maize, damaged crops and instilled fear in residents.
One of the residents, Rose Mthombeni told Daily Sun they were relieved and happy when they were told that the hippo had been caught.
“Local rangers killed it. We then searched the dam and shared its meat. We cooked it and found it delicious. Some of us who got more meat even made biltong and put it in our refrigerators,” she said.
Residents said hippos pose a threat to shepherds and those collecting firewood from the bushes.
Community leader Sam Maranele said the hippo was found roaming near a dam.
“Residents reported the case to rangers, who came and killed it. We encourage residents to be cautious considering the danger posed by hippos,” he said.
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Limpopo Economic Development, Environment, and Tourism spokesman Zaid Kalla emphasised the potential danger of hippos.
“They are too dangerous, especially when cornered by residents or protecting their young. We urge community members to avoid confrontations with hippos and to report stray hippos to our rangers,” he said.
Kalla cautioned against eating meat from dead animals or wildlife with undetermined causes of death due to health concerns.
“Should the need arise for a danger-causing hippo to be put down, our rangers will advise on the consumption of such a carcass. We also advise residents against following environmental officers or rangers during their missions as such actions could accidentally result in harm, injuries or death to citizens,” he said.
