135 hippos stranded in Chobe River
Animals in critical condition, authorities say
Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta says Namibia and Botswana have to work together to save people, livestock and wildlife that depend on the shared river resource.
The scorching drought is taking its toll on wildlife, with about 135 hippos stranded in a mud pool in the Chobe River, which is drying up.
Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta visited the area in the Salambala conservancy in the Zambezi Region on Wednesday to investigate.
Shifeta said the perennial river is so dry that one can walk or drive from Namibia through the river to Botswana.
Moreover, it is not the only place where hippos are stranded in mud pools.
"The animals are in a critical condition, and we will need to drill more boreholes to save them. The pumping capacity will need to be increased, and we are using the generators that we have purchased," Shifeta said.
More boreholes
He said the issue is also being discussed with the authorities of Botswana because, besides the wildlife drinking water from the river, livestock and community members on both sides of the river use this water.
"Therefore, we must drill more boreholes to save not only people but also other wildlife in the area."
Shifeta believes the dry river is an indication and result of severe climate change, describing this year's drought as worse than the drought of 2019.
"It is now worse, with more than 130 hippos stranded in mud pools. In 2019, we had between 80 and 90 stranded hippos [stranded]," the minister said. According to wildlife rangers, the situation is worse in other parts of the river.
"The hippos need to migrate to other pools, but we still need to pump water. We need funds to drill more boreholes and pump water. We don't want any deaths," Shifeta emphasised.
Worst drought in decades
The Zambezi River at Katima Mulilo is currently at 1.85 metres, according to the latest hydrological bulletin, and the level of the Okavango River at Rundu is also gradually decreasing and is at 4.47 metres.
At the end of May, President Nangolo Mbumba declared the drought a national disaster in all 14 regions of the country, with a budget of N$825 million set aside to assist where necessary.
At the time, the president described the current situation as the worst drought in 100 years.
As part of the Office of the Prime Minister's drought relief programme, various wildlife species have been earmarked to be hunted to provide emergency food. Among others, thirty hippos are to be hunted to provide meat to communities.
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Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta visited the area in the Salambala conservancy in the Zambezi Region on Wednesday to investigate.
Shifeta said the perennial river is so dry that one can walk or drive from Namibia through the river to Botswana.
Moreover, it is not the only place where hippos are stranded in mud pools.
"The animals are in a critical condition, and we will need to drill more boreholes to save them. The pumping capacity will need to be increased, and we are using the generators that we have purchased," Shifeta said.
More boreholes
He said the issue is also being discussed with the authorities of Botswana because, besides the wildlife drinking water from the river, livestock and community members on both sides of the river use this water.
"Therefore, we must drill more boreholes to save not only people but also other wildlife in the area."
Shifeta believes the dry river is an indication and result of severe climate change, describing this year's drought as worse than the drought of 2019.
"It is now worse, with more than 130 hippos stranded in mud pools. In 2019, we had between 80 and 90 stranded hippos [stranded]," the minister said. According to wildlife rangers, the situation is worse in other parts of the river.
"The hippos need to migrate to other pools, but we still need to pump water. We need funds to drill more boreholes and pump water. We don't want any deaths," Shifeta emphasised.
Worst drought in decades
The Zambezi River at Katima Mulilo is currently at 1.85 metres, according to the latest hydrological bulletin, and the level of the Okavango River at Rundu is also gradually decreasing and is at 4.47 metres.
At the end of May, President Nangolo Mbumba declared the drought a national disaster in all 14 regions of the country, with a budget of N$825 million set aside to assist where necessary.
At the time, the president described the current situation as the worst drought in 100 years.
As part of the Office of the Prime Minister's drought relief programme, various wildlife species have been earmarked to be hunted to provide emergency food. Among others, thirty hippos are to be hunted to provide meat to communities.
- [email protected]
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