Dangerous Animal Incidents

[Klipspringer]

https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa ... n-36653822

Reports of wild animals attacking people 'cause for concern' - ANC KZN
KWAZULU-NATAL / 4 NOVEMBER 2019, 4:38PM / STAFF REPORTER



The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal says that it is deeply concerned by reports of attacks by wild animals on members of the public and livestock in the north of the province, following a fatal attack by a hippopotamus on a man in Hluhluwe.

The party said that it had been reported that a man identified as Mbuyiseni Nxumalo died after he had been attacked by a hippopotamus in Hluhluwe, while the community of Ntandabantu in Mtubatuba had complained about being harassed by elephants roaming the area after escaping from a nearby game reserve.


“According to locals, their livestock has also been attacked by wild animals. Any injury or attack by wild animals to the members of the public is a cause for serious concern.

“As the ANC in the province, we are worried about this situation as it poses a serious danger to communities living next to game reserves as well as their livestock which is the backbone of their livelihood,” the party said in a statement.

"In the same vein we fully appreciate the fact that wildlife has a wide range of ecological, economic and cultural importance in relation to human existence,” said Ricardo Mthembu, ANC KZN spokesperson.

He said that they were fully cognisant of the fact that wildlife was also the cornerstone of tourism and that it was important that the human and animal bond was nurtured for the wellbeing of both.

The party also called upon the relevant authorities to ensure that the concerns of the communities were addressed as a matter of urgency to prevent any further possible and unnecessary loss of life and that the people’s livestock was protected.

“We applaud Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC Cde Nomusa Dube-Ncube’s efforts to resolve a number of issues raised by members of the community in the respective areas.

“We also appreciate the fact that Cde Dube-Ncube has already met with representatives of the Tembe Traditional Council under Inkosi Mabhudu Tembe as well as the management of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife to the issues related to the entity's animals which are habitats of iSimangaliso Wetlands Park,” Mthembu said.

He added that the party was pleased to note that Ezemvelo was also working to resolve these issues where the cohabitation between the animals and the people was managed in a proper legal manner.

[Richprins]

Brilliant, Comrades!

[Lisbeth]

One of the things that is wrong about this country is the lack of a proper opposition party. The ANC talks as if they are God on Earth

[Klipspringer]

Ezemvelo does as usual a good job in not knowing what has happened. Now the incident was in Isimangaliso

https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/sout ... land-park/

Feral hippo on the loose after killing man in KZN wetland park
BY ORRIN SINGH - 04 November 2019 - 16:27


A feral hippo that attacked and killed a man in northern KwaZulu-Natal remains on the run.

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife spokesperson Musa Mntambo said the incident occurred in iSimangaliso Wetland Park just after midnight on October 27.

"A 36-year-old man was attacked and killed by a hippo. He sustained fatal injuries to his abdomen. When Ezemvelo arrived on scene, the hippo was nowhere to be found."

Mntambo identified the victim as Mbuyiseni Nxumalo.

He refuted claims that the hippo had escaped from Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park (HiP), stating that the hippo is thought to be from St Lucia, which is not fenced.

St Lucia, the main tourist attraction within the iSimangaliso area, is a popular sightseeing destination for hippos and crocodiles.

Mntambo confirmed that Ezemvelo was investigating the matter.

Meanwhile, the ANC in KZN expressed concern about reports of attacks on members of the public and livestock by wild animals in northern parts of the province.

In a statement issued on Monday, the ANC said besides the recent death of Nxumalo, the community of Ntandabantu in Mtubatuba had reportedly complained about being harassed by elephants that have been roaming the area after escaping from a nearby game reserve.

"We are worried about this situation as it poses a serious danger to communities living next to game reserves, as well as their livestock, which is the backbone of their livelihood," said the ruling party.

"In the same vein, we fully appreciate the fact that wildlife has a wide range of ecological, economic and cultural importance in relation to human existence," it added.

[Lisbeth]

Since when have the media started to write "The ANC said etc" instead of using the person's name and position It is even worrying

[Klipspringer]

Sowetan also reports a hippo incident in October with a Kruger hippo:


https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/sout ... pensioner/


Wandering hippo kills pensioner
BY BENSON NTLEMO - 14 October 2019 - 12:19

The killing of a 63-year-old Limpopo woman by a hippo at a village near Kruger National Park has highlighted the danger faced by people living near the world-famous park.

Muthavini Luceth Masungwini of Magona village, about 27km east of Malamulele, was crushed to death by a hippo near her home on Thursday night. The pensioner's daughter Tintswalo said she and her mother joined locals at around 9pm that night to be on the lookout for a hippo that was spotted near their home earlier. The hippo was with its cub.

"We joined a group that followed it while it was walking away from the village with its cub. It appeared harmless until it made a sound and turned and started charging," she said.

Tintswalo said her mother fell down while running away and in no time the animal had reached her.

"While it was attacking my mother I turned back and tried to pull her away. [The hippo] left but my mother was bleeding profusely," she said.

Masungwini died from her wounds at the local clinic.

Local chief Busa Nxumalo said animals from the park posed a constant danger to people. Nxumalo also lamented the destruction of the fence that used to keep the animals away.

"There should be an environmental school where locals should be taught how to respond to animals that roam their areas," the chief said.


In 1993, the 28 communities bordering the park formed the Hlanganani Forum to champion their cause. The chairman of the forum, David Maphophe, said the situation for communities living adjacent the park was not an easy one as animals destroy their crops and kill their livestock.

Maphophe said buffalos come out of the park to graze among their cattle.

"They infect the cattle with foot and mouth disease," he said, adding that herds of elephants and hippos destroy their crops.

Maphophe said lions killed many cattle in the area and fed on them, while brown hyenas are also a danger.

Small-scale farmers who plant maize, pumpkins and vegetables on either side of the Makuleke dam have also been complaining that marauding hippos are destroying their fields.

Maphophe said recently, the park compensated 60 farmers after losing livestock.

Spokesperson for Limpopo economic development and tourism Zaid Kalla said villagers must report wandering wild animals to authorities when they spot them.

- Mukurukuru Media

[Lisbeth]

The killing of a 63-year-old Limpopo woman by a hippo at a village near Kruger National Park has highlighted the danger faced by people living near the world-famous park.

Has something changed all of a sudden after a hundred and more years? or have everybody all of a sudden become more cunning

Local chief Busa Nxumalo said animals from the park posed a constant danger to people. Nxumalo also lamented the destruction of the fence that used to keep the animals away.

"There should be an environmental school where locals should be taught how to respond to animals that roam their areas," the chief said.

What is a chief supposed to do if not educate his people Also the fences do not break by themselves

[Richprins]

Once again, the chief should see that his community does not destroy the fence.

[Klipspringer]

Croc farming also dangerous


https://allafrica.com/stories/202001170837.html

South Africa: NW Girl Recovering in Hospital After Crocodile Bite

17 JANUARY 2020
SAnews.gov.za (Tshwane)

A North West girl is recovering in hospital after she was bitten by a crocodile while she was swimming with her two friends.

The 15-year-old young girl, Hesmari van Loggensberg accidentally stepped onto something moving, seemingly like a crocodile, which bit her on the leg in Eland's river, near Swartruggens.

"The two boys who were swimming with her heard a loud scream and ran to a nearby house for help.

"Fortunately two men responded to their plea and ran to assist the girl who was then later taken to hospital by ambulance in Rustenburg," the North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT) said on Friday.



The men managed to assist the girl and claimed to have seen a quick glimpse of the crocodile.

According to the department, the girl sustained bite mark wounds on her leg.

After the incident was reported to the department, it immediately dispatched its problem Animal Control Specialist and Biodiversity Conservation Officers to the scene to search for the crocodile.

The officers are currently continuing with the search for the crocodile as it may further pose danger to communities residing around Elands River.

"Naturally we would not expect any crocodile in the Elands River but we are aware of captive facilities where crocodiles are bred in that area.

"Furthermore our Biodiversity Officers are embarking on thorough investigation to determine where the crocodile may have come from and the law will take its course.

"The department is in the process of erecting warning signs to caution communities on the possibilities of existing crocodiles in the river and danger they may pose," said Jonathan Denga: Director: Biodiversity Management from the department.

Members of the public around and nearby the river are urged to exercise caution when approaching the waters and anyone who may have spotted the animal must immediately contact the District problem Animal Control Specialist Vasti Botha on 0837617497 or the South African Police Service (SAPS).

[Richprins]