Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) has announced the suspension of the hippo culling exercise in the Luangwa Valley with immediate effect.
Ministry of Tourism and Arts Public Relations Officer Sakabilo Kalembwe in a statement says this is has been necessitated by events that have come with the culling activity that started in May.
Mr Kalembwe says the Department of National Parks and Wildlife will in the meantime evaluate the matter and provide a way forward.
He explains that the culling of exercise followed a recent research that established that the water levels in the Luangwa River system have been low and insufficient to support the hippo population especially in the dry season.
Mr Kalembwe states that the Department of National Parks and Wildlife has assessed the situation and estimated that 2,000 hippos need to be culled in a space of five (5) years.
He however, states that following the suspension of the culling operations, the department is making extensive consultations and will make further pronouncements on the matter as it deems fit according to its mandate.
Meanwhile 41 year old Nalumino Muketoi of Livingstone’s Mwaka Farm was last week trampled to death by an elephant.
And in a related development two fishermen died on the Kafue river in Mumbwa Game Management Area after a hippo hit their canoe last week.