A shocking wildlife tragedy has struck the Chobe River region in Namibia, where more than 80 buffaloes died after a stampede sent them plunging off a cliff.
The incident, confirmed by Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, highlights the dangers animals face when fleeing predators.
Herd Flees Lions and Falls Into Chobe River
According to officials, the herd had been chased by a pride of lions in neighboring Botswana, causing the buffaloes to panic and rush across the border into Namibia.
In their desperate flight, many of the animals tumbled over a steep cliff near Kabulabula, landing in the river below.
“The buffaloes were being chased by lions when they fell from a deep cliff into the Chobe River,” the ministry said.
Authorities note that while devastating, this type of mass drowning is not unprecedented in the area.
Recurring Wildlife Tragedies in the Region
The Kabulabula Conservancy confirmed that such incidents occur periodically when wildlife cross from Botswana’s Chobe National Park, a world-renowned sanctuary home to elephants, buffaloes, and other wildlife.
“Whenever they are chased by lions, they try to cross into Namibia and start trampling over each other,” said Mbeha Tadeus of the conservancy.
This echoes a similar tragedy in 2018, when roughly 400 buffaloes died under comparable circumstances, underscoring the risks wildlife face in predator-rich regions and raising questions about how cross-border conservation can be improved.
Local Communities to Benefit From Buffalo Meat
Footage shared by the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) shows local residents collecting and dividing the buffalo meat along the riverbank.
The ministry confirmed that the meat from the deceased buffaloes will be distributed to nearby communities.
While initial reports estimated over 80 fatalities, NBC later updated the figure to 90 buffaloes, with the tragic event occurring around 5:00 a.m. local time.
The Chobe River as a Crucial Wildlife Corridor
The Chobe River, forming part of the border between Namibia and Botswana, serves as a critical transboundary ecosystem supporting massive wildlife migrations.
However, its steep banks and the panic-driven behavior of herd animals during predator chases make it a dangerous environment for large animals like buffaloes.
Authorities in both countries have long discussed cross-border conservation strategies, but the natural dynamics between predators and prey, combined with challenging terrain, continue to complicate efforts to prevent such devastating incidents.