A video of a hippo casually strolling to a petrol station for an evening graze has gone viral.
In the 30-second video, which was posted on Sunday, the large animal is seen calmly approaching the busy Engen garage in St Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal.
A vehicle drives past it, shining its light on the animal which ignores it. Author of the video and the general manager for tourist site Lake View Cabanas, Marié Stubbe, said hippo sightings were common.
“[They] do entertain us on a regular basis, which becomes a highlight for guests.”
Speaking about capturing the hippo on video, she said: “This was an extraordinary moment of being at the right place at the right time.”
She said it was also normal for hippos to come on land at night.
“Needless to say, whoever visits our town are always amazed to see the hippos out of the water, not knowing that is their behaviour to go and graze at night time.”
Stubbe said the animals should not be approached.
“Is it dangerous? Of course they are dangerous. Any wild animal is dangerous, especially when they feel threatened. Therefore, people should stay clear from them by keeping their distance.”
She said that there were often wild animals in and around the small town.
“I’ve been living in this town for 27 years and will always be amazed about the wildlife in and around St Lucia, especially the hippos.”
