ZANIS COPY – Straying Hippos leaves residents in fear

-Stray hippopotamus are reportedly scaring villagers in Basanga area in Chief Musungwa’s chiefdom in Itezhi Tezhi district.

The hippos are believed to have run away from the heavy blasting that is going on at the 120MW Itezhi Tezhi hydroelectric power project site near the spillway gates, which is their haven.

Chief Musungwa disclosed this when Gender Minister Inonge Wina paid a courtesy call on him at his palace yesterday.

“Due to  those heavy blasting at power projection construction site, Hippos  have run away from the spill way gates and have strayed  into the Kafue flood plains  near people’s homes  and even grazing people’s maize,” Chief Musungwa said.

Chief Musungwa also said that elephants have also invaded villages in Basanga area and have caused damage to crops especially maize.

The traditional leader has since appealed to Zambia Wildlife Authority to control the animals before they kill people in his chiefdom.