A hippopotamus, believed to be responsible for the death of a fisherman in Banjiram, Guyuk Local Government Area of Adamawa State, was hunted down and killed by residents of Shelleng town last week.
This incident occurred after several weeks of heightened tension in riverside communities along the River Gongola, where displaced hippopotamuses had reportedly encroached upon farmlands and settlements.
Local authorities attributed the animals’ displacement to seasonal flooding and shrinking grazing areas.
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Shalom Kassa, the Chairman of Guyuk Local Government, confirmed the fatality, stating, “He was fishing when the hippo attacked. We have warned people to stay away from the riverbanks, but these creatures are unpredictable when displaced.”
In response to the earlier attacks, residents had reportedly avoided riverbanks, kept children away from water sources, and suspended fishing activities.
The specific hippopotamus implicated in the fisherman’s death was later sighted near Shelleng town.
Local hunters and vigilante groups mobilized, tracking the animal for several hours before successfully killing it using traditional methods.
Following the kill, community members opted to utilize the carcass.
The meat was divided among households, sold in portions, and prepared by residents.
A Shelleng resident, while handling portions of the meat, grimly remarked, “It took one of ours. Now it feeds many of us.”
However, conservationists have warned that such incidents are symptoms of broader environmental challenges.
One wildlife expert commented, “This should not be seen as a victory, but a wake-up call. These hippos don’t attack without reason. Their homes are vanishing.”
Residents in Guyuk and Shelleng remain cautious, with these recent events highlighting the ongoing conflicts arising from wildlife displacement and human habitation.
See photos below:
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