In the News...
March 2005
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This month's stories:

Illegal Logging Threatens Kenyan Hippos

In a report from the Kenyans Broadcast Company (KBC), illegal logging taking place in the Mau Forest is posting a significant threat to populations of hippo, as well as many other aquatic and semi-aquatic species currently living in the Mara River. The logging is occurring at a rate of "thousands of trees cut down a day." The trees are being cut both for timber and charcoal.  

With subsequent human encroachment and farming, chemicals and fertilizers are increasingly being released into the river. 

Mara reserve is a mojor tourist attraction in the country which is habited by 500 species of birds, 13 species of canivoeres and thousands of other species of animals and plants.

Sources: Kenya Broadcast Company (online) - 7 March 2005
08-04-05

Vancouver Zoo Hippo to Stay

The Vancouver Zoo has denied rumors that their 15 month old hippo, Hazina, will be shipped to another facility. The Vancouver Zoo lost its accreditation from the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums last year largely on account of its failure to build a promised new heated hippo barn, and improve the outdoor hippo enclosure. After the rumors began, Zoo Check Canada and the Vancouver Humane Society had issued a joint statement praising Hazina's exit.

However, according to Vancouver Zoo's animal care manager Jamie Dorgan told MetroValley News that Hazina is staying.

Hazina - the name means 'treasure' in Swahili - was acquired two months after Gertrude, an adult hippo, died in August. Harvey, Gertrude's mate, was found dead in his enclosure in January.

Sources: Abbotsford News (online) - 29 March 2005
08-04-05

South African Fisherman Killed by Hippo

Moses Morena, 30, of Goromani village was fishing with a friend when he was attacked by a hippo at around 1:00 PM in the Sabie River near Hazyview. 

Superintendent Moatshe Ngoepe said, "The hippo caught Morena, who screamed and struggled but was unable to free himself from the animal's enormous jaws…When he was dragged underwater, his friend ran for help." 

Police recovered his body on 7 March after having disappeared for an unreported amount of time. Mr. Morena's remains had a deep bit wound in the stomach.

This was the second such killing by a hippo in the Sabie River in just over a year. Though vegetarian, hippos are highly aggressive and, across Africa, hippos are widely reported to be the number one killer This was the second such killing by a hippo in the Sabie River in just over a year. Though vegetarian, hippos are highly aggressive and, across Africa, hippos are widely reported to be the number one killer of humans.

Sources: News 24 (online) - 3 March 2005
08-04-05

Australian Tourist Killed by Hippo

Vicky Elizabeth Bartlett, 50, of the Melbourne suburb of Kew was killed on her first trip to Africa. Ms. Bartlett was on a commercial safari at "Fisherman's Camp" along Lake Naivasha in Kenya.

According to Simon Kiragu, regional police chief, "The hippo attacked the woman, flipping her into the air before tossing her on the ground and trampling her." Bartlett was rushed to a hospital but died while undergoing treatment. No one else was injured in the attack. 

John Mwangi, the group's tour guide, indicated that the accident occurred when Ms. Bartlett wandered off without informing him as she went in search of a hippo she had seen the night before.

Ms. Bartlett's husband, noted sculptor Geoffrey Bartlett said he found it hard to believe his wife would go off without informing someone. 

Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Bruce Billson, says consular staff have been assisting the family. He said it was unclear whether she was alone, or with others, shortly before her death. 

"In the evening we believe some of the tour group did head towards the lake area. And other than that the details are a little bit contradictory and sketchy and we are waiting for a complete report from the local authorities," he said.

Sources: Gitonga, A. of AP - 1 March 2005, ABC News (Australia) - 2 March 2005, Duncan, J. of The Australian (online) - 2 March 2005
08-04-05

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