TORONTO — Why did the hippo cross the road? Well, in South Africa, it’s probably just out for an evening stroll.
For our latest feel-good Friday story, we’re sharing with you a video of three hippos just casually walking around a busy street in St Lucia, South Africa, a settlement in the KwaZulu-Natal province.
Taken by @lloydvonplaster and shared on his TikTok account, the video has garnered over 89,000 views, with many people asking whether hippo sightings are a regular occurrence in the village.
According to @lloydvonplaster, “they come to town every night to go eat some grass” and that “this is their home and they’re just going for dinner.” Replying to one viewer asking whether it’s safe to walk around St Lucia, he said, “You’re safe if you keep your distance from them.”
Anywhere else in the world, you’d most likely see pure pandemonium break out at the sight of three couch-sized animals strolling down Main Street. But like the plodding, portly hippos in the video, the people of St Lucia simply go about their business, calmly making way for the tubby trio.
This harmonious marriage between humans and hippos have put St Lucia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on the global map. Home to over 800 hippos and 1,200 crocodiles, the St Lucia Estuary section of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park “is known as the place where the wildlife roams freely,” says South African Tourism. As such, the small village has become a top tourist destination, with curious onlookers arriving from around the world for a chance to rub elbows with wildlife.
Of course, there are boat tours you can book to view hippos and crocs in St Lucia. But if you’d prefer to stay on land, a simple walk down the street can also lead to a wild night out.
Click here to see a second video of the hippos, posted by @lloydvonplaster. Hungry, hungry hippos indeed!
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