Hippos stranded in Zambezi region due to severe drought

Over 130 hippos are currently stranded in the muddy waters of Munambeza Pond in the Zambezi Region, as the region continues to face the devastating effects of a prolonged drought. Munambeza, located along the Chobe River bordering Botswana, is the third pond where hippos have become trapped due to drying water sources. To date, five hippos have already died.

Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda, confirmed the crisis, stating, “The ministry is intervening where several hippos are stranded in mud pools after the water in those pools evaporated. The situation is caused by the drought we are facing as a country, leading to water ponds drying out and hippos being stranded in some of these pools.”

Muyunda further noted that three such ponds have been identified on the eastern side of the Zambezi Region, with Munambeza being the most severely impacted. In response, the ministry has initiated efforts to alleviate the situation by drilling a borehole near the affected area. “We have started drilling a borehole for these hippos so that we can pump water into the pond, ensuring their survival,” he added.

The ongoing drought poses a significant threat not only to wildlife but also to the broader ecosystem in the region, and further interventions may be required if conditions do not improve soon.