Two people have been killed in separate hippopotamus attacks in Kenya, according to local officials.
A Chinese tourist, identified as 66-year-old Chang Ming Chuang, was reportedly attempting to photograph a hippopotamus at a wildlife resort on Lake Naivasha, 90km (56 miles) north-west of the capital, Nairobi.
Witnesses say the tourist got too close to the animal, which fatally bit him on the chest. A second Chinese tourist was also injured in the attack and is recovering in hospital.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Separately, a local fisherman was also mauled and killed by a hippopotamus only a few kilometres from the site of the first attack.
Local official David Kilo told Kenya’s Standard Media that a “rise in water levels had contributed to hippo attacks”, as the animals sought pasture closer to resorts around the lake.
The deaths are the sixth due to hippo attacks in the area this year, and the BBC says that hippos “kill an estimated 500 people every year in Africa”.
-
Saudi comedy fest exposes free speech schism in stand-upIN THE SPOTLIGHT The decision by some of stand-up’s biggest names to attend a festival in a nation infamous for its censorship has the comedy world picking sides and settling old scores
-
When should you use a personal loan vs. a credit card?The Explainer Determine whether you need a lump sum upfront or a borrowing limit
-
‘Conspiracy theories about her disappearance do a disservice’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
A private zoo run by Asia's richest family is facing criticism and investigationsUnder the radar The zoo is owned by Anant Ambani, the son of Asia's richest person
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
Delhi's dogs earn Supreme Court reprieveIN THE SPOTLIGHT After an outcry from the public and animal rights activists, India's Supreme Court walks back a controversial plan to round the city's stray dog population into shelters
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
