News24 reports that a 31-year-old field ranger at Mkhuze Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal was killed by a hippo while on foot patrol over the weekend. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife said it was saddened by the death of Sphamandla Mthembu, who died on Sunday.

Mthembu had worked as a field ranger for eight years. The wildlife entity said Mthembu was patrolling with three of his colleagues and tracking footprints, following reports of people putting snares in the area. During their patrol, the men split into two groups and went in opposite directions. In a statement, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife indicated: “Within a few minutes, one of Mr Mthembu's colleagues heard a gunshot from Mr Mthembu's direction. When he went to investigate, he saw a hippo attacking Mr Mthembu.” Mthembu's colleague opened fire on the hippo, killing it. He was still alive when the hippo died, and managed to speak to his colleagues before he succumbed to his injuries whilst they were waiting for assistance. A family spokesperson said Mthembu would be buried on Saturday.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nkosikhona Duma at News24

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