Nigeria town celebrates after hunting down ‘killer hippo’

Residents of Yauri, a town in northwestern Nigeria, are finally breathing easier after local rice farmers and fishermen successfully dealt with a hippo and its calf that had posed a serious threat to their livelihoods. The hunt for the massive animals, which took several weeks, was triggered by a tragic incident in which a fisherman, linked to the area’s traditional leadership, was killed by a hippo.

In light of rising safety concerns among those living near the River Niger, the Kebbi state government authorized the removal of the dangerous hippos. The hippo population in Nigeria has dramatically decreased in recent years, with current estimates suggesting that only about 100 remain, primarily within conservation areas.

Local resident Sani Yauri shared with us the fear that the hippo instilled in the community, which forced many to abandon agricultural activities. “We are a town of fishermen and farmers, and this hippo made many of us too scared to go out for fear of an attack,” he explained. “Beyond the tragic death of a member of the emir’s staff, another person was seriously injured, and our farmlands suffered significant damage.”

To tackle this threat, local young men used traditional spears known as “zagos” to track and kill the hippo. After the hunt, the carcass was brought back by canoe to the palace of a high-ranking emirate official, where it was butchered and distributed to community members, bringing a sense of relief and celebration.

Resident Isa Jamilu expressed his happiness over being able to return to his farm, which he had abandoned weeks before. The news of the deceased hippo quickly spread across social media, sparking a mix of reactions. While some praised the community’s decisive response, others raised concerns about the welfare of the animal.

Animal rights activist Isyaku Abdullahi, the founder of the African Voice for Animals Initiative, expressed his dismay at the situation, highlighting the hippo’s endangered status. “Seeing the footage of the celebrations following its death made me feel sad,” he remarked, advocating for the community to have reported the issue to authorities who could have relocated the animal instead of resorting to lethal measures.

Abdullahi pointed out the need for education in rural communities like Kebbi, which are home to numerous rivers and lakes, on safer approaches to managing wildlife encounters. Hippos, known to be the third-largest land mammals, can reach speeds of up to 20 mph and are responsible for about 500 human fatalities each year in Africa when they feel threatened.

As Yauri holds celebrations over this recent turn of events, the ongoing conversation regarding the delicate balance between human safety and wildlife conservation remains vital.