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On the banks of the Ruzizi River, which separates the Democratic Republic of Congo from Burundi, coexistence between villagers and hippopotamuses in the area remains difficult.
By 2019 at least seven people have been killed by hippopotamuses and six have been injured, while wide field terrains have been destroyed by animals.
Environmental activists are seeking protection but local residents are urging the government to compensate for the damage caused by the semi-aquatic animals.
Jacqueline Neema, the mother of a son killed by the hippopotamus says the loss of her son has devastated her.
“I am an enemy of hippopotamuses after my son was killed when he was 16 years old. “He was the hope of the family, he went to school and I was ready to sell the house to take him to study.”
While Jean-Pierre Lajonga, previously injured by animals, says he must stay armed to protect himself from hippopotamuses.
“I was on the field when the hippopotamus attacked me. I defended myself with my machete but I was wounded in the head and lost a lot of blood. “I escaped only thanks to God”, he says.
Farmer Masoka Bora says living with hippos is a constant struggle:
“We live in tragedy with the hippopotamuses. “I had a field of corn and beans but they destroyed it, I can not go there because I have to defend myself, they destroy all the seeds.”
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