Be careful of hippos when you are out camping or picnicking near water. This warning comes after a senior manager of SANParks Environmental Crime Investigative Unit (ECI) in Groenkloof in Pretoria, Kobus de Wet was stormed and killed by a hippo while camping in the Kruger National Park (KNP) on Saturday, August 12.

SANParks said in a statement that De Wet was “stormed and killed by a hippo while camping in the KNP”. The details of how exactly he was killed are still sketchy, but an investigation is underway, SANParks said. KNP spokesperson, Ike Phaahla, said his death was the first incident of an employee killed by an animal in the park this year.

“We have not had any other animal-related fatalities or incidents this year,” he said. Eugene Troskie of the Phalaborwa Natural Heritage Foundation (PNHF) told the Herald that hippos are known as being aggressive and very nervous. “They get irritated easily, something small can turn their mood.” He said especially people living or camping near dams regularly encounter hippos.

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“People who fish or do washing in dams are very vulnerable to attacks,” said Troskie. According to him, hippos do not like dense areas. “They are sometimes forced to a crowded area in the dry season when there is less water and less grazing.” He said hippos also prefer thick vegetation. “Avoid areas where hippos are known to graze and walk, especially at night when they come out of the water to graze,” he added.

Phaala told the Herald the incident involving De Wet took place in a remote area of the KNP. “Tourists should rest assured that it was not at one of our tourism sites. The area is only visited by KNP staff for recreational purposes such as camping,” he said.