What would you do if you saw a hippo mother and baby grazing outside your room? Seeing as hippos are considered the most dangerous mammals in Africa, one tourist sadly made the wrong choice this week.
Medics reported yesterday that the woman died en route to the hospital, after sustaining serious injuries to her neck and waist. The incident took place at Lake Naivasha Country Club, where she apparently left her room at around 9pm to photograph a baby hippo that had wandered over from the nearby nature reserve. She was then attacked by the lactating hippo mother.
According to the club’s management, all guests are briefed on the dangers of walking in the grounds at night. Night watchmen are available to escort guests to and from public areas after nightfall, and information about the possibility of wild animals straying into the grounds is clearly sign-posted.
After hearing of the event, it has been reported that Kenyan Wildlife Services shot the animal.
Do you think this was the right move? What do you think they should have done? Tell us what you think in the comments section below.
Photo by Michael Tucker: read the story behind the photo.
