Uganda Wildlife Authorities officials have been called in by locals in Mbarara to track down an unknown number of hippos that have been on rampage in the area.
The hippos are said to have been on the loose in the areas of Lugazi for months according to residents.
On Friday, 2 UWA officials were sent on ground in response to the numerous calls from the locals for assistance.
Edith Mwijukye, one of the residents says about 3 hippos have been coming at night destroying their gardens of maize, beans, ground nuts and sweet potatoes.
Residents say the hippos have been attacking their gardens at night
“They used to come at around 3:00am since June but now they come as early as 6; 00pm,” Edith said
UWA officials camped in the area last night and one of the hippos was seen in the night but escaped into R. Rwizi.
UWA officials have camped in the area
Residents fear that the animals pose a major threat to their lives. The area LC1 Chairman Hannington Kato threatened to kill them if UWA does not succeed in capturing them.
However the UWA publicist Jossy Muhangi warned the public not harm the wild animal, promising that the bigger team will soon be sent in to capture the hippos.