Hippos and Crocs (Picture from: blog.londolozi.com)

Maun police have launched a search for a man suspected to have been killed by a crocodile while crossing Thamalakane River at Ditshiping settlement a week ago.

Station Commander, Superintendent Kenanao Badumetse told The Voice that the 52-year-old man was in the company of a 35 year- old woman who managed to survive the attack on a Friday evening.

“The two were crossing the river naked with their clothes in a bag so that they could have dry clothes to wear when they got to the other side but half way through, the woman who was following at a distance of about a metre behind heard the man screaming before he disappeared without a trace,” Said Badumetse

“The woman did not see what caught the man because it was already getting  dark and  everything happened very fast.” Badumetse pointed out that the search was still ongoing with the help Botswana Defence Force divers.

“If he was indeed eaten by crocodiles it would be better if we at least find something that can provide closure to his family that he fell victim to the crocodiles, but for now we have found nothing except the bag he was carrying.”

Meanwhile another man was battling for his life in hospital after sustaining serious injuries from a hippo attack at Khwai settlement near Mababe village still in the North West District.

Superintendent Badumetse said that the victim who was fishing when the animal pounced had been warned about the hippo which was grazing close by.

“When the hippo charged he ran for his life but unfortunately he tripped and fell and the animal badly bit him on the thighs, ribs and left hand before he was rescued by the same people who had warned him about the animal before.

“People should be extra careful especially when crossing rivers or better still simply avoid crossing rivers on foot and use boats instead because wild animals are unpridictable,”The police boss advised

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