A hippo has been spotted roaming the northern suburbs of Johannesburg… and no, this isn’t a joke or a new wildlife doccie. It’s a real-life reminder that even in the heart of Gauteng, nature still knows how to surprise us.
Fourways, South Africa (25 January 2021) – Only in South Africa, right? A real-life hippo has been cruising through the leafy suburbs of northern Johannesburg and the story has completely taken over social media.
From Chartwell to Lanseria and even back towards Hartebeespoort Dam, this not-so-little guy has made quite the splash since December 2020, reminding us all just how wild Joburg can be.
What makes this even more incredible is that it’s not just a random escape, the hippo is believed to have followed the river system, travelling remarkable distances (as they do when water levels rise) in search of food and, let’s be honest, maybe a bit of suburban sightseeing too.
Thankfully, the amazing teams at the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and Gauteng’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) are monitoring the hippo’s movements to ensure both human and animal safety. Using certified drone technology (yes, the future is here), EWT is capturing aerial footage to keep an eye on our wandering friend – and they’ve been working closely with the Northern Farm MTB community, where the hippo was last seen chilling out.
The aim? Keep the hippo safe, calm, and stress-free until he decides to return to his natural habitat. No capture. No chaos. Just careful tracking and plenty of community support.
Residents are being urged to not approach or feed the animal, no matter how many likes that selfie might get. Let’s not add stress to an already lost (but fabulous) giant.
If you do spot the hippo, you can help the experts by reporting sightings directly to:
- Mr Erasmus Nkabinde (GDARD Law Enforcement): 071 257 7481
- Constant Hoogstad (EWT Senior Manager): 082 334 4176
This entire situation is just another reminder that we live in a country where the wild quite literally meets the world of Wi-Fi and Woolies. It’s surreal, it’s special, and it’s so proudly South African.
Stay safe, stay curious… and stay out of the hippo’s way.
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