A hippopotamus pest of fishermen’s canoes on the Lufira River
In a series of tragic events, a hippo terrorized the Lufira River, destroying more than a hundred fishing canoes. This unexpected threat has aroused concern among the inhabitants of Malemba Nkulu territory, in Haut-Lomami.
National Deputy Félix Kabange Numbi and the Director General of the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) met to discuss this dangerous situation. MP Kabange Numbi stressed the need to act quickly, as the hippopotamus continues to cause considerable damage.
Not only were the fishermen’s canoes torn to pieces, but even the barge used by the villagers to cross the river was destroyed by this spirited hippopotamus. The presence of this devastating animal has created a climate of terror, especially since artisanal gold diggers have recently been cleared from the area by park rangers.
This situation raises questions about the cohabitation between humans and wildlife. While the protection of animals is essential, it is also important to find solutions to minimize the damage caused to local communities.
MP Kabange Numbi and the DG of ICCN agreed to work together to find a solution to this problem. Measures will be taken to ensure the safety of residents while preserving wildlife. It is important to raise public awareness and put in place preventive measures to avoid new incidents of this kind.
This story highlights the importance of considering human-nature interactions in our conservation efforts