A 48-year old was killed by a hippopotamus last Friday in Wathmuok municipality of South Sudan’s Aweil State, a local official said.
Ajak Paramount Chief Ayom Wek Akol told Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday that the deceased identified as Yel Deng Chan was attacked by the animal while crossing the river in the evening.
“The people tried to rescue the man, but unfortunately he was pronounced dead after arriving at the hospital,” he said.
According to the local leader, about six people have lost their lives and one left wounded following hippo attacks in the last seven years in the area.
“I am urging the government to approve for us to kill the hippo for the sake of the lives of the people in the area,” Wek appealed.
Aweil state wildlife conservation director, Major General Kuer Chol declined to immediately comment on the story.
According to the Wildlife and Conservation Act of 2013, a person may defend himself or any other person against a protected animal to prevent serious harm, but it is not allowed to resort to shooting the animal unless there is no alternative.
