Staff Reporter
THE Ministry of Environment and Tourism has confirmed the mass drowning of close to 100 buffaloes in the Chobe River in the Zambezi, stating that this was caused by a lion chase.
Ndeshipanda Hamunyela, spokesperson of the tourism ministry, said that an estimated 83 animals drowned late last night to the early morning hours of today, 23 September 2025.
“It is an unfortunate incident that involved lions charging wildlife from the Botswana side into Namibia (Serondela area). The animals fell from a deep cliff down into the river, and some tumbled over each other. The ministry and other law enforcement officials are on site to maintain law and order,” Hamunyela said.
The spokesperson added that the meat will be distributed to communities in the immediate area by the ministry, with the involvement of other relevant stakeholders in the region.
A full statement on the matter is expected to follow in due course.
