Investigations underway after senior SANParks manager killed by hippo in Kruger National Park

The South African National Parks (SANParks) has confirmed an investigation into the death of a senior manager after he was killed by a hippo.

Kobus de Wet, who worked for SANParks’ environmental crime investigative unit (ECI), was attacked by the hippo while camping at the Kruger National Park on Saturday.

SanParks spokesperson Isaac Phaahla said details of the incident was unclear.

“Details are sketchy at this stage and circumstances around the incident are under investigation.

“SANParks Executive Management sends out sincere condolences to his immediate family, friends and the SANParks family. The memorial and funeral arrangements are underway.”

Hippo attacks

Hippos are highly territorial and may attack if a person finds themselves in the unenviable position of standing between the water and the wild animal feeding on land.

Hippos will also charge boats in the water if they feel their territory has been invaded.

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According to the Kruger National Park, the hippo can be very dangerous to humans if laws of the wild are not adhered to.

“They have been known to bite wooden canoes in half and tip small boats over. There is a definite increase in Hippo attacks on humans but this is mainly due to the humans becoming arrogant and disrespectful whilst in the wilderness,” the Kruger Park said on its website.

Marius Els

In 2011, a farmer was killed by his pet hippo after repeated warnings that it was a wild animal that could never be tamed.

Marius Els, 40, an army major, was bitten to death by the 1.2 tonne hippo he christened Humphrey and tried to domesticate on a farm in Free State province.

Els’s savaged body was found submerged in the river where, years earlier, the hippo had been rescued from a flood.

It grew too big for the people who adopted it and was bought by Els at the age of five months, becoming a pet on his 400-acre farm and learning to swim with humans.

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