Hippos at risk at Vwaza Wildlife Reserve
Lives of hippos are at risk at Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve in Mzimba due to the drying up and siltation of Zalo pool.
This has forced hippos from the pool to relocate to Lake Kazuni where there are fights as it is also running dry.
in Lake Kazuni
According to Department of Wildlife and Parks divisional manager, George Nxumayo, seven hippos have died from the fights so far.
“We have two sources of water at the reserve; Zalo pool and Lake Kazuni. Zalo pool was the first to dry up, forcing the hippos to move to the lake,” he said.
Nxumayo said the water shortage is a result of drought and agricultural activities outside the reserve which is leading to siltation.
“Unfortunately, the surrounding communities depend on the same water sources as well which is creating conflict between the animals and people,” he said. n
