A tragic incident occurred at the Mkhuze Game Reserve in South Africa, where a park ranger was crushed to death by a hippopotamus. Sphamandla Mthembu, a 31-year-old ranger who had dedicated eight years of his life to protecting animals from poachers, was with three colleagues when the incident took place.
The rangers were tracking footprints after receiving a tip-off about poachers entering the park. They had split up into two groups to encircle the intruders when Mthembu accidentally startled a three-ton hippo returning to the river. The hippo aggressively charged at him, leading Mthembu to open fire in self-defense. Unfortunately, his efforts were in vain as the hippo had already clamped its jaws around him.
Upon hearing the gunfire, the other rangers rushed to the scene to assist their injured colleague. They fired their rifles until the hippo was eventually killed. Tragically, Mthembu succumbed to his injuries while awaiting medical help.
A witness at the game reserve recounted the sudden and terrifying nature of the attack. The hippo appeared out of nowhere, charging, trampling, and biting the ranger who had fired at it. Despite the rangers’ efforts, both the hippo and Mthembu lost their lives in the tragic encounter.
The CEO of Ezemvelo Kwazulu-Natal Wildlife Park, Mr. Shie Mkhize, expressed his deep sorrow upon hearing the news. He mentioned the additional hardship Mthembu’s family had been facing, as they had recently lost a young child. Mkhize extended his condolences to Mthembu’s family and emphasized the need for the fellow rangers to have space to process the traumatic event they had witnessed.
The South African Police have initiated an inquest into the incident, which occurred an hour after dawn on Sunday.
According to the BBC, hippos are the deadliest large land mammals in the world, responsible for an estimated 500 human deaths each year in Africa. Their aggressive nature, coupled with their sharp teeth, make them formidable creatures. With front teeth measuring over a foot long and canines growing up to 18 inches, hippos are a force to be reckoned with.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the risks faced by park rangers in their efforts to protect wildlife from poachers. It highlights the bravery and dedication required in their line of work, as they put their lives on the line to safeguard these precious animals.
