A 52-year-old fisherman has died after being attacked by a crocodile while fleeing a herd of elephants in eastern Zambia, police say. Dean Nyirenda was returning from a fishing trip with two friends on Wednesday when they encountered the elephants. They fled the scene, with Nyirenda jumping into a stream near the Luangwa River. 'That is when he was attacked by a crocodile by biting his right thigh,' local police chief Robertson Mweemba told journalists.
Despite managing to strike the crocodile with a stick, Nyirenda suffered a severe bite. He was dragged from the stream by his companions while bleeding heavily. While they attempted to stop the bleeding, he unfortunately died before reaching medical help. Wildlife officials later found deep bite marks on his thigh, which led to the fatal bleeding.
Zambia is known for its significant elephant population and the Luangwa River is home to one of the highest concentrations of Nile crocodiles in Africa. Authorities have reported that of 26 wildlife-related deaths this year, 15 were caused by crocodile attacks along this river. Wildlife officers advocate for caution in human interactions with wildlife and are considering measures to reduce such conflicts.
Despite managing to strike the crocodile with a stick, Nyirenda suffered a severe bite. He was dragged from the stream by his companions while bleeding heavily. While they attempted to stop the bleeding, he unfortunately died before reaching medical help. Wildlife officials later found deep bite marks on his thigh, which led to the fatal bleeding.
Zambia is known for its significant elephant population and the Luangwa River is home to one of the highest concentrations of Nile crocodiles in Africa. Authorities have reported that of 26 wildlife-related deaths this year, 15 were caused by crocodile attacks along this river. Wildlife officers advocate for caution in human interactions with wildlife and are considering measures to reduce such conflicts.
