In a tale that reads like Freud meets Greek Mythology meets Super Hero-dom, Zorro the 800kg hippo fled his watery home at Rondevlei Nature Reserve in Grassy Park, Cape Town, back in January to escape attacks from his father Brutus.
He took refuge at the
More and more homes will be needed as the Rondevlei female hippos have a calf every two years, so this is a growing concern for the City and environmentalists involved. Currently possible new venues, including private nature reserves in the province, are being investigated by the biodiversity management branch of The Fauna Management Committee
Meanwhile Zorro, so named for the “z” shape marking on his body, is being monitored daily and seems to be thriving in his smelly home.
Can you Help?
If you are the owner of a private nature reserve which has a body of water and ample mud to keep a hippo happy, contact Rondevlei on rondevleinaturereserve@capetown.gov.za or call them on 021 706 2404 to find out what other requirements are needed.
- Portfolio cannot accommodate a hippo, but we can accommodate YOU! For Western Cape accommodation and accommodation in Eco-Reserves and Nature Reserves throughout South Africa, contact Portfolio Collection today.
Image: Arno and Louise. Creative Commons License)
