On the banks of the Ruzizi River that divides the Democratic Republic of Congo from Burundi, cohabitation between hippopotamus and villagers remains conflictual. Since 2019, at least seven people were killed, six injured by hippos, with hectares of fields laid waste. Environmental activists have multiplied their calls to establish protection mechanisms for hippos, while locals are calling on the government to repair the damages caused by the giant semi-aquatic mammals. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES