By Staff Reporter
BOLOBEDU – Residents of Ga-Mokgeathi villages in Bolobedu reportedly hunted down and killed a hippo, later sharing the meat, after experiencing sleepless nights and safety concerns due to the dangerous animal roaming their neighbourhood.
It is believed that the hippo had been displaced from a nearby river following recent heavy rains in the area. Villagers told Tzaneen Voice that wild animals like this pose serious threats to community safety and crops, forcing many to avoid walking at night.
One villager involved in the hunt said the hippo had been spotted several times before being killed, moving around the village “as if it were a cow.” Another resident noted that the animal was frequently seen near the river.
Over the weekend, the bulky hippo, which had a calf, was reportedly feeding on a villager’s vegetable garden, further angering the community.
After the hunt, villagers reportedly pulled the hippo out of the river, butchered it, and shared pieces of meatamong themselves. The incident highlights the growing tensions between humans and wildlife in rural Bolobedu, particularly after extreme weather events.
