A man from Gwelutshena in Nkayi died in a hippopotamus attack as he tried to capture pictures using his phone with the animal behind him.

Police confirmed the incident which occurred on Monday.

Matabeleland North provincial police spokesperson Inspector Siphiwe Makonese identified the victim as Lockeus Dube(40) of Sembewule Village.

“I can confirm that we received a case of sudden death where a man was attacked by a hippopotamus when he tried to capture pictures of the animal in the bush,” said Insp Makonese.

Dube spotted the hippo in a bushy near a water source and decided to take pictures of it using a phone.

The hippo, however, charged and attacked him.

The animal allegedly dragged him for about 50 metres before dumping him unconscious, police said.

Dube sustained injuries on the thigh and buttocks where he was bitten by the hippo.

A passerby Mr Butholezwe Nsingo (37), who witnessed the attack, tried to scare away the animal but was too late as it had already injured Dube.

Source: Reuters