June 25 2001 at 09:25PM

Hazyview - The rogue hippopotamus that attacked and killed a security guard at an up-market Mpumalanga resort, died during a large-scale capture operation in the Sabie River on Monday afternoon.

The adult bull hippo, described as a "trouble-maker" that regularly fought with other hippos, was cornered and darted by Mpumalanga Parks Board (MPB) but died of suspected stress shortly afterwards.

The animal earlier killed 32-year-old Sabie River Sun security guard Mandla Msimango when it charged him and two colleagues just before dawn at 5am.

(continued)

Police and hotel spokespersons report that Msimango was monitoring the hippo after it broke into the hotel's riverside golf course.

Captain Harry Shabangu of Lowveld police said that Msimango appeared not to have done anything to provoke the animal and was standing roughly 45m away from the hippo when it attacked.

Sabie River Sun general manager Jeff Rosenberg stressed that the incident was the first of its kind at the resort.

"This is the most tragic accident ever at the hotel. We have taken steps to ensure there is never a repeat and offer our sincerest condolences to Mr Msimango's family and friends," said Rosenberg. - African Eye News Service

©2001. All rights strictly reserved.

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