Close hippo call at St Lucia

An elderly man is lucky to be alive following a near death encounter with a hippo in St Lucia.

It is reported that the man was recording the hippos that were grazing on McKenzie Street in St Lucia on Friday.

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Too close for safety, the hippo attempted to attack but only managed to knock him to the ground.

According to witnesses, the hippo then stood over him but was distracted by the loud cries and screams of onlookers, forcing the animal to back away.

A single bite could have severed his body.

Tourists and residents are being warned to steer clear of the dangerous animals.

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife says while hippo sightings are common and are an attraction in St Lucia, there are several warnings across the town about the unpredictable nature of wild animals.

“In St Lucia, there are more than eight signs warning people about hippos,” said Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife spokesperson Musa Mntambo.

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He said although they roam freely in St Lucia and provide a unique experience for visitors and residents, they are still dangerous animals and people must keep a safe distance.

How to behave when you come across hippos:

• Always observe hippo warning signs

• Don’t wander about at night time. At sunset hippos leave the water and travel overland to graze. They may travel up to 10 kilometres at night, often through the streets of St Lucia.

• Hippos are very difficult to spot at night without a powerful torch. They are also hard to see on the roads and are often hit by vehicles.

• Be very aware of hippos whilst walking or cycling between sunset and sunrise. Please ensure you have completed any trails by sunset.

• During the dry months when food is scarce hippos will happily graze in residents’ gardens

• Do not feed hippos or provide them with any unnatural water sources

• Do not approach or come close to any hippo; if they feel threatened they will attack

• Don’t go into water near hippos, they are fast swimmers and fearlessly protective of their turf and young.

• Do not get between the mother and her calf or wander into hippo territory

• If threatened on land, hippos may run for the water – they can easily outrun a human over short distances.

• Look out for the hippo’s yawn. It is not a sign of sleepiness or boredom but is a threatening gesture displaying long, thick, razor-sharp canine teeth or tusks with which it is capable of biting a small boat in half

• Respect hippos, don’t confront them, and keep your distance. Stay at least 30 metres away