The body of a 47-year-old man who was attacked and killed by a hippopotamus on Friday afternoon was retrieved on Sunday, Chief Public Relations Officer in the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) Romeo Muyunda said.

According to Muyunda on Monday, the incident happened at Kayeura Village in the Kavango West Region when a hippopotamus allegedly attacked and capsized a canoe in which the deceased was with another man as they were preparing it (canoe) for a fishing expedition.

The second person escaped unhurt. The deceased has been identified as Pessa Reino Nangoro and his next of kin have been informed, he said.

“It is alleged that the deceased was attacked from behind by the hippopotamus, and he drowned.

His body went missing on Friday, and was only retrieved on Sunday, without a head, after a search operation by officials from the Namibian Police Force (NamPol) and MEFT, as well as the community,” Muyunda said.

The body was transported to the Rundu State Hospital mortuary.

Muyunda also stated that the ministry’s staff are assisting the family and looking into the possibility of claims in accordance with the ministry’s policy.

“It is important to say that, for the ministry, this is really unfortunate and regrettable. We do not wish to lose life as a result of wildlife, especially so early in the year. We really regret this incident and we give our condolences to the bereaved family,” Muyunda said.

NAMPA)

Source: The Namibian Press Agency