PHALABORWA – One year after Phalaborwa resident Rinza Venter survived a vicious hippo attack in the Kruger National Park, she says her survival is nothing short of miraculous.

The 68-year-old was part of a research expedition in the Shingwedzi Camp area, near the Tshanga River, led by her husband, Dr Freek Venter (72), a respected ecologist and retired head of conservation with 39 years of service in the park.

T H E   A T T A C K

During the outing, a lone hippo bull charged the group and attacked Rinza. According to Rinza, the hippo likely slept underwater, woke up and felt threatened by their presence in its territory.

“It all happened so fast. I ran, but stumbled and fell, and that’s when the hippo got me,” she recalls. “Even though the entire attack lasted only seconds, it felt like forever.”

Her life was saved by ranger Christopher Maluleke and researcher Ben Wigley, who was accompanying the group. They shot the hippo at close range, causing it to release her and flee. Sanparks was contacted by radio and a helicopter was dispatched to airlift her to Tzaneen Mediclinic.

T H E   R E C O V E R Y

After two weeks there, she was transferred to Zuid-Afrikaanse Hospital in Pretoria for further recovery.

Rinza suffered multiple serious wounds: a large injury to her right arm, one on her hip, and three on her buttocks. Miraculously, no arteries were severed, no bones broken and no internal organs damaged.

“When I look at how deep the wounds were, it still amazes me that I survived this ordeal. It was for sure a miracle” she said.

A   Y E A R   L A T E R

Now, a year later, Rinza says she is fully healed and profoundly grateful.

“This experience has taught me that God is real. It’s not just a story or a fairy tale. I see every moment as a gift, because life can be taken in the blink of an eye,” she shared.

Rinza thanked her husband, children, friends, and the medical staff at both Tzaneen Mediclinic and Zuid-Afrikaanse Hospital. “Their support and love carried me through. I will always be thankful.”