Communities along the Jur River in Western Bahr el-Ghazal are facing growing safety risks as the population of hippopotamuses in the area continues to rise.
According to Brigadier Daffallah Khamis Daffallah, Director of Wildlife, the number of hippos has increased to more than 40 this year, up from 26 recorded in 2024.
Seasonal flooding has caused the river to overflow, forcing the animals onto higher ground and into farmland, where they pose a threat to crops and residents.
“Every time there is flooding, both people and animals compete for higher ground. Based on our statistics, there are about 48 hippos in these areas, and they pose a real threat to communities,” Brig. Daffallah said in an interview with Radio Miraya.
In response, wildlife authorities have increased patrols and installed warning signs in affected areas, including Agok, Grinti, and Nyan-shum.
Officials are urging residents to exercise caution, especially near riverbanks and farmland where hippos have been frequently sighted.
Local farmers say the rising hippo population has disrupted farming activities and forced some to temporarily abandon their fields. “We are scared to go to the farms.
The hippos come close, especially when the river floods,” one farmer in Agok told reporters.
Brig. Daffallah emphasized the need for continued vigilance: “Our patrols are ongoing, and we are educating communities on safety measures. Hippos are dangerous animals, and caution is essential.”
The state government is reportedly exploring long-term strategies to manage the growing hippo population while ensuring community safety.
