WINDHOEK, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism assured the public on Tuesday that the current hippo crisis in the country's northeastern region of Zambezi is stable.
This came amid concerns sparked by reports on Monday of more than 100 hippos stranded in the muddy waters along the Chobe and Linyanti rivers in the Zambezi Region, but ministerial spokesperson Romeo Muyunda provided reassurance, adding that ongoing interventions are effectively managing the situation.
Since 2019, the ministry has been proactive in addressing water supply issues by drilling a borehole and acquiring a generator pump, he told media in the national capital of Windhoek. "Since then, this pump and generator have consistently aided whenever there's a water demand. We have engaged Botswana's wildlife authority to jointly intervene in the current situation earlier this year."
According to Muyunda, cooperation with Botswana's Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism has further bolstered efforts, with the Botswanan government providing additional resources, including an extra generator and fuel. With two generators now in operation, the water level in the hippo habitat has improved significantly.
To optimize resources and adapt to environmental challenges such as poor rainfall patterns, Muyunda said the ministry has implemented innovative solutions. "To further improve the situation, we have installed a solar system to pump water during the day and only pump with the generators at night."
Muyunda said the primary goal of these interventions is to ensure that the hippos have enough water to survive until the next flood season, rather than to fill the pond. Despite the lack of significant rainfall this year, the ministry remains vigilant, closely monitoring the situation and implementing necessary measures as needed.
Erratic weather conditions in recent years have led to several incidents of hippos and crocodiles getting stuck in the mud due to low water levels.
