The government is considering culling a number of problem wild animals in some districts in Sofala province as a way of reducing the number of cases of human-animal conflict.

The animals are reported to be destroying agricultural crops, leading some families to go hungry.

In addition to cultivated areas, hippos, crocodiles and elephants injured one citizen and destroyed four houses in the town of Ampara.

The administrator of the Búzi district, João Saize, told Rádio Moçambique that, given the complaints from the communities, the government is working with the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC) to discuss the possibility of culling a number of problem animals.

"We have several measures in place, one of which is to ask ANAC for permission to shoot the problem animals, so we have shot a considerable number, just over a dozen hippos, following complaints from the communities about the damage," said Saize.

The source said they had also promoted talks to raise awareness among riverside communities to avoid entering river water because of the crocodiles.