The internet’s favourite little hippo is growing up right before our eyes, and his latest poolside adventure has already been watched more than 800,000 times.
Kenya (01 September 2026) – Our favourite little hippo is going viral again, and this time, he is reminding us just how much has changed since we first met him earlier this year.
The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has shared a new video of Bumpy playfully swimming around his pool. He’s bigger, bolder and seemingly very aware that people are watching. And the world just cannot get enough.
“Bumpy is a real showman. He seems to understand the effect he has on us and delights in it. When he bobs underwater, we know it won’t be long before he reappears with a boop… the only question is where!”
“Our little hippo recently demanded a change in nighttime accommodations: One evening, he flatly refused to return to his usual room in the stable block. Now, he sleeps with his Keeper in a cosy poolside cottage, so he can maximise water time and then enjoy all the nocturnal noises from the safety of his room. Here, we caught him in an evening swim, his feistiest time of day!”
Yes. Bumpy has apparently upgraded himself to poolside accommodation.
The video has amassed more than 800,000 views in just two days, along with over 50,000 likes and 1,200 comments. And judging by those comments, the internet remains completely and utterly besotted with him.
“Bumpy got an upgraded suite…poolside, with his own valet…”
“Who knew the world could fall so madly in love with a hippo?!”
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“Where does a growing hippopotamus sleep? 🤔……… Anywhere he wants. 😁 I love my not so little Bumpy. 💕”
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Cape Town Kayakers Rescue Starving African Penguin Far Out to SeaGood Things Guy first shared his journey in May after the orphaned calf was found beside his mother’s body near Oloiden Resort in Naivasha, Kenya. Wildlife experts believed his mother may have died protecting him during a territorial fight, leaving the tiny calf alone beside her. The Kenya Wildlife Service Vet and Capture team rescued Bumpy and transferred him into the care of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, where his recovery began with bottle feeds, blankets, round-the-clock attention and an enormous amount of love.
Millions watched this tiny, confused animal curl into the arms of his Keeper after losing his mother. Keeper Simon reportedly slept beside him on the floor during his first night, giving Bumpy the comfort and security he desperately needed.
But Bumpy started growing up, and, thanks to social media, millions of people around the planet have a front-row seat to every splash. He discovered his swimming pool. He started doing barrel rolls. He became stronger. His personality began emerging. And every time the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust shared another glimpse into his life, thousands and then millions of people came along for the ride.
By June, Bumpy had become something of a global conservation superstar.
The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s Facebook community had grown to over 5,5 million followers, while videos featuring the animals in its care were reaching millions of people. Bumpy’s story had travelled far beyond Kenya, picked up by international media and shared across social platforms around the globe. And while it is impossible to measure exactly how many people discovered the Trust because of Bumpy, his journey has undoubtedly helped put wildlife conservation in front of audiences who may never previously have encountered this work.
One day, Bumpy will be far too big for cuddles and perhaps far too independent to care much about entertaining his millions of online admirers. That is, after all, the whole point of rehabilitation… helping vulnerable wildlife become strong enough to live the lives they were always supposed to have. Until then, we get the splashes, the underwater boops, the poolside cottage and the happiness of watching a little animal who experienced such enormous loss discover that life can still be filled with love.
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