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He said after failing to fell the tree, the hippo then relaxed under the same tree while waiting for its “prey”.
“I was later saved by the police and officials from Gokwe North Rural District Council’s Campfire department who came and put down the hippo later in the evening. This was after it had failed to fell the tree and later waited under the tree while groaning for hours without giving up,” he said.
Mr Muzenda said he came across the hippo in a bushy area, which separates Ruziya and Nembudziya, resulting in the speed chase.
“At first glance, I could not quickly identify what kind of a wild animal it was because it was charging towards where I was. I quickly took to my heels and after running for about 100 metres, I jumped on to a tree and I thank God I did not fall because it was already close by the time I decided to climb the tree,” he said.
Mr Muzenda said the incident occurred at around 9am.
He said the team that comprised the Gokwe North RDC officials and the police only managed to come to his rescue at about 6.30 pm.
“After climbing the tree I shouted for help while at the same time warning other villagers not to draw nearer.
“This was after I realised that the hippo was looking very dangerous by the way it tried to use its head and mouth to fell the huge tree I was on,” he said.
Mr Muzenda said members of the police and officials from the Gokwe North RDC’s Campfire department arrived and gunned down the hippo.
“This is how I was rescued from the jaws of death. I am still to recover and when I think of the incident, my heart stops,” he said.
Gokwe North chief executive officer Mr Shingirai Tigere confirmed the gunning down of the hippo in the area on Wednesday.
Mr Tigere said the hippo had wreaked havoc in the area, chasing after villagers including Mr Muzenda.
“Our team from the Campfire department together with members of the police went to the scene after we received an alarm from villagers. The mammal was then gunned down and the villagers shared the meat,” he said.
Mr Tigere said authorities were still investigating where the hippo could have come from.
Online Reporter