ZAMBIA – A THIRTEEN-year old boy of Itezhi Tezhi in Southern Province has emerged alive from a vicious Hippo attack, ZANIS has reported.

Fackson Kashweka went on a solo fishing expedition on Lake Itezhi Tezhi around 14:00 hours yesterday when he attracted the fury of the giant herbivorous water creature.

The marauding Hippo hit the Kashweka’s canoe causing the teenager to spill in the water before it dug its huge teeth into his thighs.

However, the boy somehow managed to unclasp himself from the jaws death and swam ashore where he was retrieved by villagers and rushed to Itezhi Tezhi District Hospital.

The attack has traumatized surrounding community while spreading fear and panic.

Itezhi Tezhi ward councilor Getrude Sosopi and police sources confirmed the attack.

Sosopi has expressed concern about the frequency of hippo attacks on Lake Itezhi Tezhi, urging the Department of National Parks and Wildlife to intervene.

“My request is that the DNPW act quickly to remove all juveniles from the lake, and that the government finds a way to assist these impoverished families,” the councilor said.

She lamented that, as a result of the district’s high poverty levels, Itezhi Tezhi has lost a number of young people who go fishing on the lake, which is the main economic activity in the area.

Sosopi has appealed to fishermen to be more cautious and avoid operating in areas where hippos frequent.

Source: Kalemba