The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism has confirmed the death of more than 80 buffaloes in Namibia’s Chobe River after a stampede triggered by lions.
Ministerial spokesperson Ndeshipanda Hamunyela said the incident occurred in the Serondela area on Tuesday when lions chased a herd of buffalo from the Botswana side of the river into Namibian territory.
“The animals fell from a deep cliff into the river, with some tumbling over each other,” Hamunyela explained.
She added that officials had already moved to the site. “The ministry and other law enforcement officials are on site to maintain law and order.
“The meat will be distributed to communities in the immediate area by the ministry with the involvement of other relevant stakeholders in the region,’’ the spokesperson said.
The Chobe River, which flows along the northeastern border of Botswana’s Chobe National Park, is well known for its large concentration of wildlife.
This is not the first time such a tragedy has occurred. In 2023, over 100 buffaloes also drowned in the river after a mass stampede.
