BOURKE’S LUCK – A hippopotamus cow was stoned and chased by villagers who wanted to kill her for meat on Sunday at 05:00. She was spotted grazing close to Dinky settlement and chased into the village. After being trapped in the village for five hours, she was considered a danger by the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) and had to be ethuthanased.
According to reports of the local police station as well as the MTPA, a group of villagers threw rocks at the animal. More people joined in the effort to to kill the hippo. Some brandished pangas but it could not be confirmed if she was struck.
In her attempt to escape the crowd, the animal trampled a man who was admitted to the nearby Mathibidi Hospital.
The local police were alerted and contacted the Lowveld SPCA who in turn called the MTPA.
At some point during the morning, the animal was shot at and wounded by police officials.
Read the full article in Lowvelder of Friday, February 7.
