The female hippopotamus that brutally killed a traveling herdsman on Sunday morning has been shot dead by a hunter sanctioned by the Department of Parks and Wildlife Management on Monday evening, TAT can confirm.
The protective mother hippo was eliminated on the bank of the River Gambia, barely 72 hours after the gruesome attack that claimed the life of Dawda Jallow, a pastoralist from Falladou. The man had gone into the bush near Jafaye village in search of missing goats when he encountered the hippo sheltering with her newborn calf on land. Eyewitnesses described the attack as extremely violent, with reports indicating the victim was beheaded.
The herdsman was laid to rest on Monday in a sober mourning in his native village of Brikamaba, bringing some closure to his family but leaving the wider community deeply unsettled.
Community leaders and residents in Jafaye and surrounding villages have expressed serious concerns about their safety following the horrific incident. Many fear that other hippos in the area could pose similar threats to people and livestock, especially as grazing lands overlap with wildlife habitats along the river.
This latest development comes after villagers had repeatedly reported hippo attacks — including the killing of four cattle in recent months — to wildlife authorities, with little preventive action taken until the human fatality occurred.
While some have welcomed the sanctioned killing of the specific hippo as a necessary step to reduce immediate danger, residents continue to demand a comprehensive long-term solution from the authorities. They argue that their lives and livelihoods must be protected without violating wildlife laws.
The incident has once again highlighted the escalating human-wildlife conflict in the southern central River region. Local leaders are calling for urgent measures, including better monitoring, possible hippo relocation, and clearer guidelines on when intervention is permitted.
As the community mourns and reflects on the tragedy, many remain anxious about venturing near the riverbanks. Authorities have been urged to engage directly with affected villages to restore confidence and prevent further loss of life.
