The Namibian Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism has confirmed the drowning of more than 80 buffaloes in the Chobe River after a stampede triggered by lions.
According to ministry spokesperson Ndeshipanda Hamunyela, the incident occurred in the Serondela area when lions chased a herd of buffalo from Botswana into Namibia. The animals fell from a steep cliff into the river, with many tumbling over one another.
“The ministry and other law enforcement officials are on site to maintain law and order. The meat will be distributed to nearby communities with the involvement of relevant stakeholders,” Hamunyela said.
A similar incident happened in 2023, when over 100 buffaloes drowned in the same river under comparable circumstances.
The Chobe River, which flows along the northeastern border of Botswana’s Chobe National Park, is renowned for its large concentrations of wildlife.
