LIMPOPO – The latest sighting of a hippopotamus was recorded at around 21:00 on Thursday night, along the R71 road between Haenertsburg and Moria.
In a post The Mountain Company says several sightings have been reported recently. “This video has just been shared to us of a hippo sighting on the R71 approximately 18km from Haenertsburg close to Moria. Whether this is the same hippo that has been exploring Haenertsburg, we do not know as there might be more than one in the area.”
Limpopo
18 February 2021
R71
Please be carefully on the R71 between Polokwane and Moria
Hippopotamus walking on the R71 ke xo nw e mo mentz pic.twitter.com/2WziQfT15T— Masilo (@majackeee) February 19, 2021
Several motorists have expressed their concern about the danger of the hippo walking on a main highway saying the R71 is a very busy road and the color of the animals skin makes it difficult to be spotted, especially in the evening.
In 2017 a hippo was hit by a vehicle along the R71 near Haenersburg. The driver of the vehicle sustained minor injuries but the vehicle was a write-off. The hippo, however, sustained extensive injuries during the incident and was euthanised by rangers from The Department of Economic Development Environment and Tourism (LEDET).
Read more: (Video) Aggressive hippo’s at Tzaneen dam
Review has contacted the department regarding their way forward in dealing with the matter.