Oldest Hippo Killed In Jur River in South Sudan

By James Deng Dimo

WAU, December 10, 2015 [Gurtong] – Unknown gunmen in Western Bahr El-Ghazal State this week killed the oldest Hippopotamus found in Jur River.

Mabior Urung Urac, the Wildlife Director in Wau said that the hippo which was more than 40 years of age was shot three times on Sunday and later died on Tuesday.

“The hippo was shot from a far distance with three bullets, what happens is, whenever it is shot, it will follow the flow of water and dies in a far distance.”

Urung said that investigations are underway to find the culprits who if caught will face a jail term of not less than 7 years.

A fisherman at Jur River who used to come across the hippo while fishing said that it is unfortunate that the hippo was killed.

“Killing an animal like a hippo is not good because they are very important to us.”

The Wildlife Director, Urung called on all citizens to respect wildlife as it is important for the country.

“These animals are not for wildlife alone, it is for all of us, so let us protect them, whether you are a police, an army, don’t kill these animals. Tell those who want to kill not to. These are our resources and when people later come and find them with us they will give us something in return.”

Last year farmers at the river shore complained that the hippos are destroying their farms and threatened to kill them.

The number of Hippos in Jur River is estimated to be more than ten.