Hippo death 'was necessary'

2008-07-18 14:40

Durban - The killing of KwaZulu-Natal's wandering hippo "Nkululeko" was "regrettably" a necessity, the province's Environmental MEC Mtholephi Mthimkhulu said on Friday.

"The animal had become a serious threat to all the people in the localities it roamed. I therefore believe it would have been irresponsible and negligent of the authorities if they had not paid attention to such a situation."

He said capturing the hippo was not a "viable option" and therefore a decision was taken to "destroy the animal".

He was responding after residents and Animal Rights Africa (ARA) lashed out at the eThekwini Municipality and KZN Ezemvelo Wildlife for not doing enough to relocate the animal to a safe location after it was initially spotted.

"Nkululeko" had been seen frolicking on various spots along the province's coastline for nearly two months.

ARA spokesperson Steven Smith said he believed the "senseless killing" could have been prevented.

The hippo was shot dead earlier this week after suspicions arose that it may have killed a 60-year-old Verulam man. However, police said post mortem results would take up to six months to be released. There had been no official confirmation that "Nkululeko" attacked and killed Ben Dlamini.

- SAPA