It’s not uncommon for residents and visitors in St Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal to see wild animals casually roaming the streets. With the town being situated in iSimangaliso Wetland Park, hippos especially seem to sometimes want a taste of city life.
Last night, 23 February, the OK Express & Engen Garage posted a video shared by Marié Stubbe of a rather hefty hippo strolling through the garage.
Many commented on the video with humorous remarks saying the hippo must have run out of petrol, or that he was in the mood for some snacks. The hippo safely returned to the lake, according to the OK Express & Engen Garage page.
Stubbe, who has lived in St Lucia for 26 years, says that it’s very common for hippos to venture into residents’ gardens at night for some fresh green grass. ‘They’re not aggressive and don’t really care about people, but might become dangerous if a cow has a calf with her.’
She also added that although people don’t usually approach the hippos, some tourists try to get close to them for pictures. ‘Everyone wants to show the world they saw a hippo in the street, and when people get too close, that’s when it can get dangerous for the hippo and the people.’
Like all wild animals, these creatures are best appreciated when observed from a distance and without human interference.
iSimangaliso Wetland Park contains three major lake systems, eight interlinking ecosystems and is Africa’s largest estuarine system.
Image: Screenshot from Facebook video
