Hippopotamus spotted in Chartwell and Farmall

Videos and photos are circulating on social media showing a hippo on the banks of the Klein Jukskei River between Chartwell and Farmall on 29 December.

Local residents in these areas say they spotted the hippo at around 7.30pm.

Many, including the Kormorant, have questioned whether it could be Harpo the Hippo from Hartebeespoort Dam who surfaced last year and has been seen on numerous occasions.

Farmall resident Nikki Skews said, “It was actually on the river bank opposite my property. Someone had posted a footprint on our local group and then someone posted the photo that’s now all over social media so we had a look down at the river from our house and it was just standing there on the river bank.”

She added, “Seeing a hippo just outside was quite bizarre and actually made my year.”

The Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital posted a statement on their Facebook page which read, “We are aware of the hippopotamus sighted along the river in Chartwell. The Gauteng Department of Agricultural and Rural Development (GDARD) was contacted and is on the scene to assess the situation. GDARD is the official organisation required to assist and make decisions in situations such as this one.”

Photos and videos have been circulating on social media, like this one that was tweeted below. The source of the video is unknown at present. If you have details for the video or any alternate photos and videos of the hippo, please contact andreivw@caxton.co.za or daniellap@caxton.co.za.

Share on the security group this morning, #Hippo spotted in #Chartwell / #Farmall along the river, that's city living in #Johannesburg 🦛🦛🦛 #Gauteng #WildLife #SouthAfrica #Africa #SouthAfrican #Hippopotamus #Fourways #Broadacres pic.twitter.com/DdwDb4jxGV

— Miguel Chan (@capewinereview) December 30, 2020

This is a developing story and updates will follow.

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