Drought Hit Namibia Drills Extra Boreholes to Save Stranded Hippos

The Namibia government is making all possible efforts to save around 130 hippopotamuses that are stranded in the fast drying mud in northeastern Namibia, as water levels continue to drop due to severe drought.

Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism is drilling boreholes to pump water into the Munambeza Pond in the Zambezi Region so that the hippos are saved.

According to the spokesperson of the ministry, Romeo Muyunda, a second borehole was drilled this year for the hippos. The first was dug at Lugala in the Zambezi Region, where the water supply has improved conditions for the 135 hippos that were earlier trapped in a dry patch in June.

Following the completion of the borehole at Munambeza, the team will move on to a nearby third location called Sinde.

The hippos are facing problem due to the drought as water ponds are drying out and the hippopotamuses are getting stranded in some of these ponds.

According to Muyunda, these ponds not only sustain the hippopotamuses but also provide drinking water for other wild animals and livestock from neighboring communities.

A potential rise in human-wildlife conflict is also feared as the current situation may lead to competition for water resources. The ministry has urged the public to remain cautious at all times and contact the ministry to intervene if any wildlife comes into their area.