Going For A Dip: Happy Hippo Has A Swim In The Surf

The unusual sighting caused a commotion in the small beach town of Ponta Do Oura, Mozambique.

The one and half ton animal normally relax in muddy rivers and lakes – but this friendly hippo wanted to be one with the waves.

Now the male adult has become a fixture at the beach and nicknamed Mr Hippo by the locals.

Angie Gullan, a 44-year-old marine mammal guide, said: “On first sighting the hippo he was seen to be wading in the waves. I was impressed how he stood his ground in the surf.

"Shortly afterwards we headed to land again and made our way by foot over the dune to get a better view of the hippo.”

After splashing in the surf for two hours the hippo began to clamber over rocks, and Ms Gullan became fearful for his safety.
She added: “I then sighted him in the bay where much pandemonium was growing. Locals were gathering, boats were buzzing and there was a steady increase in jet-skis with a impending competition later in the week.

“Monitors from the Reserva Ponta do Ouro kept vigil over the hippo who was now assumed to be a male that was forced out of the area by more dominant males of Kosi Bay.

“He stayed in the bay for two days before heading up the coastline to Ponta Mamoli where he was photographed lying on the beach, he looked somewhat lethargic and we feared that he might have died.

“Relief soon set in as his head moved. Reserva Monitors were already on-site and later reported that the hippo had during the evening made his way to a lake, but then moved back into the ocean.

“I felt privileged to be so close to this animal and witness his strength and determination.”