Watch: Hippo delights Cape Town’s Grassy Park residents

While hippos are a fairly common sight in Richards Bay, St Lucia and surrounds, spotting one in Cape Town is unusual.

A hippo that broke out of Rondevlei Nature Reserve brought much delight to residents in Grassy Park in Cape Town yesterday morning.

Perhaps the herbivore just liked the name Grassy Park!

The hippo took to wandering around Italian Road after breaking through the nature reserve’s fence.

According to numerous posts on social media, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA’s Wildlife Department and other role players went out to investigate and herded the hippo back into the reserve in Perth Road. The fence was temporarily secured until repairs can be undertaken.

Residents who spotted the hippo were surprised to say the least:

Last night in Grassy Park a young male Hippo from Rondevlei Nature Reserve went for a walk about! @CityofCT nature reserve rangers quickly guided him back into the reserve.

This dispersing male will be relocated to another nature reserve. 🦛 pic.twitter.com/1yxBYCKXgG

— alexlansdowne (@alexlansdowne) April 13, 2024

A hippo was spotted in Grassy Park in the wee morning hours.
Source: Facebook. pic.twitter.com/fyZ4f0X6Lo

— شهد (@IAmShahieda) April 13, 2024

Someone take me to Grassy Park, I wanna see a hippo 🦛

— Alee 🌸 (@AleeyahSamie) April 14, 2024

Hippo animal walking in 8th avenue , Grassy Park .

Flying squad, grassy park saps and animal control on the scene pic.twitter.com/Ga5Lsd30A9

— Cape Town Community Safety Reports (@MohauKgolokwane) April 13, 2024

Hippos explore Richards Bay and surrounds

In October, Caxton Local Media reported that hippos often come to say howdy to Richards Bay residents and, each time they do, videos and photos do the rounds.

Their favourite stomping ground is from Steel Bridge to the Arboretum traffic lights.

Hippos are also common night visitors to St Lucia, an hour’s drive north of Richards Bay.