A Crocodile in Luangwa river | Tour Zambia with Lochinvar
A routine fishing expedition turned tragic this week when Dean Nyirenda, a 52-year-old man from Nkuku Village in Mambwe District, was killed in a rare and violent wildlife encounter in Zambia’s South Luangwa region.
Nyirenda and two companions were returning from a fishing trip on Wednesday morning when they unexpectedly came upon a herd of elephants blocking their path near the Luangwa River. In an effort to escape the approaching animals, Nyirenda ran towards a nearby stream, but the flight for safety took a fatal turn.
According to Eastern Province police chief Robertson Mweemba, Nyirenda leapt into the water to evade the elephants but was immediately attacked by a crocodile that bit him on the right thigh, inflicting deep wounds.
Police said the crocodile bit him so severely that it caused rapid blood loss. While Nyirenda initially managed to strike the animal with a stick and pull himself out of the water, his companions discovered him bleeding heavily on the riverbank. Despite their efforts to stop the bleeding and carry him to safety, Nyirenda succumbed to his injuries before emergency help could arrive.
Wildlife officers who later inspected the scene confirmed deep bite wounds on Nyirenda’s thigh as the likely cause of his fatal injuries.
The Luangwa River and its surrounding national park areas are known for some of Africa’s highest densities of Nile crocodiles, which coexist with thriving populations of elephants and other large mammals.
Zambian wildlife officials say increased human activity and expansion into traditional animal territories have heightened the likelihood of dangerous encounters between people and wildlife in recent years. Conservation groups note that in 2023, about 15 of 26 wildlife-related deaths recorded nationwide were linked to crocodile attacks most occurring along the Luangwa River.
Local authorities and conservation officers have repeatedly urged both residents and visitors to exercise extreme caution when travelling near riverbanks and natural water sources especially in regions known for dense populations of elephants, crocodiles and other large wildlife.
