A hippopotamus was spotted near Jonkersdam in the Standerton area today.

According to Neil Langenhoven from Rhino Lodge, the animal escaped rom the lodge, situated along the R50 between Leandra and Standerton about a week ago.

Langenhoven advised people to leave the animal alone.

“They are generally not aggressive, but it is best to turn around and walk away,” he said.

According to Kasselman Security Services (KSS) in Standerton , a witness saw the hippo in a field near Jonkersdam this morning.

“The hippopotamus must have gotten out due to heavy rainfall in the area,” stated Jandré Kasselman of KSS.

“Currently efforts are being made to safely locate and return the hippopotamus to the lodge.”

KSS is monitoring the area with a drone in search of the animal.

According to Hennie Bekker of AfriForum, this was not the first case time a hippo was roaming the area.

Another hippo was found near the Maizefield Silos a few years ago.