The Gambia Environmental Alliance has strongly condemned the “ruthless” killing of a hippopotamus in Kuntaur.

The alliance condemnation comes after a widely shared video showing a killed baby hippopotamus is presented to the Gambian President Adama Barrow at his Mankamang Kunda home.

GEA described the killing of the baby hippo as “appalling and unlawful” adding “this brazen act not only flagrantly violates the laws of our land but also strikes at the heart of our collective dedication to preserving and safeguarding our natural environment”. 

“The ruthless killing of this majestic creature
not only represents a criminal transgression but also runs counter to the core principles of our society, which values the sanctity of all living beings and the harmony of our shared habitat.

“We urgently implore His Excellency, President Adama Barrow, to issue a resounding denouncement of this despicable act and to swiftly implement decisive measures that guarantee the prevention of such heinous deeds within our borders. 

“As a nation, we look to our esteemed leader to reinforce our unwavering commitment to the preservation of our wildlife and the conservation of our natural heritage,” the alliance said in a statement.

It called on President Adama Barrow to reaffirm the Banjul Declaration of 1977, a significant accord dedicated to the protection of African wildlife and the preservation of the environment.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba