One Babadinding Fofana, a native of Wassu, was over the weekend attacked by two hippopotami while on his way to the rice fields.

Narrating his encounter with the hippos to this reporter, Mr Fofana revealed that he was in his canoe going to his field around 12 pm when the two hippos attacked him. However, he went on, he was attacked not far from the river bank. 

According to him, his canoe was overturned but he quickly swam to shore and safety. The district chief, Pierre Bah, has expressed concern over the hippo threat in his district.

He described Niani as one of the leading rice growing areas in the country and said hippo attacks have resulted to reduced rice cultivation in some areas. According to him, most women around Wassu and Kuntaur cross the river to cultivate rice and due to fear of the hippos, some find it difficult to access their fields.

He thus appealed to the Department of Wildlife to help address the hippo menace.