Fishermen in Kebbi Kill Hippopotamus, Share Meat with Community

Fishermen in Kebbi State, located in northwestern Nigeria, have killed a hippopotamus and distributed its parts as meat to residents. The decision to kill the animal was sanctioned by Governor Nasir Idris and enforced by the Emir of Yauri, Zayyanu Abdullahi, after the hippopotamus reportedly killed one of the emir’s staff members.

The animal was hunted and killed by a group of 40 local fishermen, who used bows and arrows to subdue the large mammal. This followed an extensive search effort along the banks of the river where the hippopotamus had been seen.

Once the animal was successfully brought down, it was transported in a local dugout canoe to the palace of the District Head of Gungu, Kasimu Aliyu. There, the hippopotamus was slaughtered, and its meat was distributed among the local people.

Kebbi State, known for its vast bodies of water, is home to a large fishing community and hosts the renowned Argungu Fishing Festival, a cultural celebration that draws attention to the state’s fishing heritage. However, sightings of hippopotamuses in the region are quite rare. Although these animals can thrive both in water and on land, their presence in Kebbi’s waters is uncommon.

The killing of the hippopotamus  has sparked discussions about wildlife management in the area, particularly in light of the human-wildlife conflict that led to the animal’s demise.