A 51-year-old male security guard employed by Katima Security Services in Katima Mulilo, died after he was attacked by a hippo at Protea Hotel during the early hours of this morning.

According to the police report, the deceased is identified as Chawila Munalisa Lukonga, who was on duty at the time of the incident.

His next of kin are informed.

The attack is suspected to take place while the guard went on patrolling duties on the premises of the  Protea Hotel which is located on the banks of the Zambezi River.

A colleague said the guard was armed with a rubber baton and left the shotgun behind in the guard room.

The colleague went to switch on the lights of the hotel as part of their duties, only to discover, the lifeless body with visible injuries.

Hippo tracks were found at the scene.

This marks the second hippo-related casualty in the same area, following the discovery of the body of a 47-year-old man found in the bushes outside the Protea hotel, who is believed to have died from a hippo attack in July this year.