27 Feb 2025

We had a bit of excitement the day before I arrived.  In this pond which is right down the hill from my cottage there was a rare event:  A hippo had arrived from the river which is about 15 km away overnight and was enjoying this large dammed area.  

These creatures weight about 3 to 4 tons.  They are very fast and very territorial.  Once this hippo took up residence it would pose a real danger as we all live pretty close to the pond.  They emerge in the evening in search of grass to eat.  One cannot out run a hippo and they tend to target the head, crush the skull in defense of their land.  

The wildlife conservation people came with deadly intent.  Fortunately for the hippo it hid in the pond until dark and supposedly escaped back to the river by night.  The story of the hidden hippo.  There's a hippo in my tub, singing in the shower...he is having such a jolly time should be in there for at least an hour."

The College was disappointed because the beast got away.  Had it been shot, there would have been a celebration and yes lots of meat to eat.