Four young men have died after being attacked by hippopotamuses at Lake Naivasha in Kenya, in a tragic incident that happened on Friday night.
According to Kenyan media reports, the victims were part of a group of 14 men who had gone to the shores of Lake Naivasha to fish illegally. The men were reportedly trying to earn extra income to support their families. During the night, several hippos attacked the group.
Some of the men managed to swim to safety, but others were attacked by the animals or drowned in the lake. Four of them lost their lives.
Hippopotamuses are known to be extremely dangerous, especially at night. They usually leave the water to graze on grass along the lakeshore. If they feel threatened or if people block their path between the land and the water, they can become very aggressive and attack.
Lake Naivasha, located about 80 kilometres from Nairobi in Kenya’s Rift Valley, is a popular tourist destination with many lodges and camps. Operators in the area regularly warn people against walking near the lake at night because of the danger posed by hippos.
Wildlife experts and local authorities continue to caution residents and visitors to stay away from lake shores after dark, as encounters with hippos can be life-threatening.
