Tragic safari death a lesson

Comment on "Fears surface after hippo kills tourist from Shanghai"(China Daily, April 24)

I feel sorry for the Chinese woman who was killed by a hippopotamus in Kenya and extend my condolences to her family. The tragedy, however, should teach us a lesson or two about wild animals. We should always see wild animals for what they are and take safety measures while out on a safari.

Like any mother, the hippo attacked the woman who was trying to click photos of her calf because it saw her (the woman) as a threat. Animals, especially those in the wild, are indeed fascinating, but we should not forget that they are dangerous too. So tourists should always maintain a safe distance from them.

Hippos kill more people than crocodiles in Africa. A hippo may seem docile but is actually an extremely aggressive animal. Though the tour company is to blame for the tragedy for failing to warn the woman to stay away from animals, it is ultimately the duty of tourists to keep away from danger in the wild.

Roninxian, on China Daily website

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(China Daily 05/07/2013 page9)