Wandering hippo spotted in Hartbeespoort Dam

Mike Cronje went for an afternoon walk on Tuesday afternoon at the Schoemansville Resort when he spotted the strange visitor. “I first couldn’t believe my eyes and ran back to my house to fetch my camera,” Mike told Kormorant.

The hippo was first spotted by farm workers on the farm of Koos and Annelien van Splunter on Friday.

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“The workers first saw the spoor, and then found the hippo in our dam. However, when the workers started working with machinery, he disappeared under water and when I got to the dam, he was nowhere to be seen. He was there until Monday morning, but kept himself scarce and was mostly under water,” Annelien told Kormorant.

The hippo making his way through various farms in the area.

“I am quite cross because everyone else on the farm saw him except me.”

Photo: Mike Cronje

According to Annelien, the hippo came from the direction of nearby Hekpoort, and has been spotted on several farms. No one knows where he came from.

“He will probably end up in the Hartbeespoort Dam. I hope they find him before something happens to him,” she said.

Photo: Mike Cronje

Mike also spotted a crocodile at the resort some two years ago. “It is wonderful to see wildlife returning to the dam,” Mike enthused.

Residents and those travelling on boats in the area are urged to avoid the hippo, as they are wild animals and extremely dangerous.

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