The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has revealed that malnutrition is the cause behind the recent deaths of 19 hippopotamuses in the picturesque Mid Zambezi region.
Over the past three months, these unfortunate incidents occurred in the lush Sapi Safari Area and the scenic Chirundu, Mashonaland West Province, prompting thorough investigations by ZimParks.
In a statement released on Thursday, January 9, ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo shared the preliminary findings, saying there were no gross abnormalities or traces of anthrax in the tested samples from the hippos’ carcasses. He said:
<blockquote>
Following investigations into the deaths of 19 hippos in the Mid Zambezi Region, preliminary results show no gross abnormalities or traces of anthrax in the tested samples.
It is important to note that about 50 percent of the hippo population were in very poor body condition, with prominent pelvic bones and spines, indicating malnutrition or inadequate food supply.
While recent rainfall in the region offers hope for the recovery of the hippo population, our findings strongly indicate that the majority of deaths so far are directly linked to severe nutritional deficits rather than infectious diseases.
</blockquote>
Farawo also noted that the hippos had been travelling up to 10 kilometres from their natural habitat in desperate search of food.
ZimParks assured the public that it is closely monitoring the situation and remains committed to prioritizing the health and welfare of the local wildlife.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Malnutrition is the reason behind the deaths of 19 hippos in Zimbabwe. The hippos were very hungry and couldn't find enough food to eat, so they died. This happened in the Mid Zambezi region of the country. Researchers found that many of the hippos were in poor body condition and were very thin. They were so hungry that they traveled far away from their home to find food. The government is working hard to make sure the other hippos in the area get enough to eat and stay healthy.

Malnutrition Behind Deaths Of 19 Hippos In Mid Zambezi - ZimParks

A British couple’s dream holiday in Zambia turned dangerous when a hippo attacked their canoe on the Kafue River, flipping them into the water.
As reported by <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c869jj5dy4qo">BBC</a>, Cherry and wife Shirley, from Warwickshire, were in the third week of their dream trip when disaster struck on the Kafue River.
Sixty-three-year-old Cherry was dragged underwater and seriously injured before being tossed into the air by the animal.
Quick action by a local hospital helped save his life, as he sustained significant injuries to his leg, abdomen, and shoulder.
Cherry, an experienced canoeist, recalled that he quickly realized he had dislocated his shoulder, leaving him unable to swim to safety.
As he struggled in the water, he was grabbed by the hippo and dragged underwater.
Fearing for his life, Cherry thought, “Oh no, what a way to go… I’m not ready to die,” believing he wouldn’t survive the attack.
He later found himself sitting in shallow water on the bank, but the hippo grabbed him again. He told the BBC:
<blockquote>
We know subsequently from fellow travellers I was grabbed again and thrown through the air like a rag doll but towards the bank which was the godsend.
I remember looking down at my legs thinking “that’s not good”. There was bits of flesh sticking out of my torn shorts and blood over my abdomen.
I was in its jaws and I didn’t see it once – we have eyewitness accounts of that happening – but I was never conscious of that.
</blockquote>
He said he recalled his wife calling for him as “friendly arms” pulled him from the water and placed him on a motorboat back to camp.
Shirley Cherry said she had managed to swim to the riverbank, meaning the hippo went for her husband.
“I saw him surface, then he was thrown in the air,” she said, adding that if the hippo had attacked her, the outcome might have been fatal.
Cherry sustained a 10-inch wound to his abdomen, a thigh injury, and a dislocated shoulder. Hospital staff in Johannesburg indicated that had his wounds been deeper, he might not have survived, noting they had never encountered a hippo attack survivor before.
After seven operations over two weeks, Cherry credited the initial treatment at Mtendere Mission Hospital with saving his life and is now raising funds for the hospital through a Just Giving page.
He said he appreciated the group had been in the hippo’s natural habitat and subsequently had learnt his attacker was a protective female with a calf.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A British couple on a holiday in Zambia was attacked by a hippo while canoeing on the river. The husband was seriously injured but saved by quick hospital treatment. He had surgery and now wants to raise funds for the hospital. The hippo was a mom protecting her baby. The husband is grateful to be alive and learned a lot from the experience. His wife was not hurt, but it was a scary situation for the couple. They were lucky to survive the attack by the hippo.

British Tourist Recounts Near-Death Experience With Hippo In Zambia

A Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) officer was gored to death by a hippopotamus while on patrol on the banks of the Limpopo River on Friday.
The soldier was identified as Pelious Moyo from Tongwe. He was declared on arrival at Beitbridge District Hospital.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the serviceman’s passing away. National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said:
<blockquote>We confirm the unfortunate death of the member (of the ZNA) who was on patrol at the time of the attack. Police are investigating the circumstances.</blockquote>
Moyo was part of soldiers stationed at a checkpoint between Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Reports indicate that he was attacked at dawn as the animal was headed to the river from grazing.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2019/07/hippo-kills-soldier-patrolling-beitbridge-border-area/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

Patrol Soldier Killed By Hippo Along Limpopo River

A Mashava man is appealing for financial assistance from well-wishers so that he can undergo an operation on both his legs after an attack by a hippopotamus.
Garikai Charles (44), from Zvamahande village, was bitten by the animal while fishing in 2014.
He has not been able to walk properly since then.
Charles requires US$4 000 for the operation to be done.
Those willing to assist Garikai, his address is Zvamahande primary school, P.O Box 79 Mashava and his mobile contacts are 0782 274 491 or 0785 846 347.
<img alt="" class="aligncenter wp-image-95117 size-full" decoding="async" height="933" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 581px) 100vw, 581px" src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Hippo-Attack.jpg" srcset="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Hippo-Attack.jpg 581w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Hippo-Attack-187x300.jpg 187w" width="581"/>
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More: <a href="http://www.zbc.co.zw/mashava-man-appeals-for-help/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ZBC News Online</a>

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