A senior manager for environmental crime investigations at South African National Parks was stormed and killed by a hippo on Saturday while camping in the Kruger National Park, the Mail& Guardian reported on Sunday.
Kobus De Wet was one of SANParks’ senior managers in its environmental crime investigative unit based at Groenkloof in Pretoria.
In a statement on Sunday, SANParks said details of the incident were still sketchy and that an investigation was underway.
“SANParks executive management sends out sincere condolences to his immediate family, friends and the SANParks family,” it said.
SANParks spokesperson Ike Phaahla told the Mail & Guardian that De Wet’s death was a huge loss in the fight against rhino poaching.
“He was very dedicated and helpful and committed to his work. Most of the arrests that we make, we made especially outside [the Kruger National Park] because that was his expertise, tracing people outside,” Phaahla said.
Kobus De Wet was one of SANParks’ senior managers in its environmental crime investigative unit based at Groenkloof in Pretoria