Image: Reza

Faizel Patel –12/01/2021

(Twitter: @FaizelPatel143)

The Gauteng Agriculture Department has warned residents to be on the lookout for a hippopotamus in the Fourways area near the Jukskei River.

The department says that the hippo was first spotted at the end of last month in Chartwell.

It says people should be vigilant of the hippo and to be very cautious not to approach or provoke the animal in any way.

“The hippo should not be fed, so that it is discouraged from staying in the area. Therefore, the animal should not be provoked or tampered with. Like any other wild animal, the hippo is moving between the Jukskei river (Chartwell, Fourways), Crocodile river and Hartbeespoort Dam (the place of origin and its habitat) on a regular basis.”

The department says it will monitor the hippo’s movements and should it pose an imminent threat to human life, there will be no option but to consider putting it down.

Hippos are mainly herbivores, but they have been known to become aggressive especially when threatened.