A truck driver has been locked up in Zambia after his truck hit and killed two rhinos in Mosi-oa-Tunya national park, in Livingstone, Zambia, the country’s Tourism and Arts Ministry has reported.
37-year-old Ashes Gumbo was arrested after two rhinos, a male and female died following the accident on 26 February 2020.
According to Sakabilo Kalembwe, Tourism and Arts ministry spokesperson, Gumbo was overspeeding on Livingstone-Kazungula road when the accident happened.
“The driver totally disregarded road signage and speed limits judging from the damage caused on the rhinos,” said Kalembwe.
Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust from Zimbabwe and park management staff tried in vain to save the iconic animals.
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Both animals, a mother, and its calf suffered severe injuries and nothing could be done to save them.
Kalembwe appealed with motorists driving through national parks to always adhere to speed limits and exercise caution.
He added that the Department of National Parks and Wildlife and the Road Development Agency are working on a plan to install speed bumps on known animal crossing points.
It was not immediately clear what charges the truck driver would face. He was driving a Namibian registered truck.
