“[We felt] a mixture of concern and urgency” 😳 As the clock neared 1 a.m. one April night, police officers in Cape Town, South Africa, noticed a peculiar figure moving through a suburban area. In the low light, the rotund, gray silhouette almost merged with the dull-colored fences and sidewalks.
But blending in is difficult when you weigh over 3,000 pounds. With just a glance, it was evident — a hippopotamus was on the loose.
The hippo had found its way out through a gap in the fence surrounding the Rondevlei Nature Reserve. Now, this massive animal was roaming the streets, casually strolling down the sidewalk as if it were a regular pedestrian.
The police, needing assistance, reached out to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA. Shortly thereafter, a representative from the SPCA’s wildlife department arrived at the scene.
“[We felt] a mixture of concern and urgency,” a representative from Cape of Good Hope SPCA said. “We were anxious about the safety of both the hippo and the public.”
Their concerns were well-founded. Left to his own devices, the hippo could easily cause harm to himself or others.
“Hippos are large, powerful animals and can be unpredictable when stressed,” the representative explained. “We feared potential property damage and injuries to both the hippo and people.”
The rescue team quickly formulated a plan. Using their vehicles, they began to gently guide the hippo back towards the reserve.
“This approach allowed rescuers to keep a safe distance from the hippo while effectively directing his movements,” the representative said.
Once the hippo was safely back in the nature reserve, the rescuers could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Miraculously, this dramatic episode had a happy conclusion.
“Successfully and safely returning the animal to his home was a rewarding outcome for everyone involved,” the representative said.
4o