It has been confirmed that a young hippopotamus has been seen in the Zeekoevlei water body at the False Bay Nature Reserve. It is believed that this animal is a two-year old calf (sex unknown) that moved out of Rondevlei into the Strandfontein Birding Area, and subsequently into Zeekoevlei while attempting a return to Rondevlei to find its home pod.
A 300m section of fencing was stolen from the reserve boundary on 31 July 2012. A female hippopotamus from Rondevlei that had recently given birth at the small wetlands to the south of Zeekoevlei moved out of the fenced area into a disused pan of the Strandfontein Birding Area with her young calf. An older calf was following the cow at the time and joined her in the pans.
It is normal behaviour for pregnant cows to separate from the main pod in order to give birth, and other offspring often stay close to their mother for some time after weaning. These animals were closely monitored by the False Bay Nature Reserve’s conservation staff and it was noted that the cow and younger calf moved back into Rondevlei within a week. However, the older calf remained behind in the pans. This animal was sighted for the first time at Zeekoevlei in the early evening of 20 August 2012, near the shoreline of the Peninsula.
A passive capture technique is being implemented by means of creating funnel gaps in the reserve fence line in order to assist the animal with locating an entry point back into Rondevlei where it may reunite with its pod.
The public is advised to be particularly cautious, as hippos are known to be extremely dangerous wild animals. Zeekoevlei residents and visitors utilising the water body are strongly advised not to approach the hippopotamus under any circumstances or to hinder its movement. This could lead to dangerous encounters and may potentially prolong the capture operation by influencing the animal’s behaviour. Motorists in the area of Zeekoevlei should be cautious, as this animal may leave the vlei at night.
There are six hippos in the False Bay Nature Reserve, which constitute the only population of this species in the greater Cape Town area. Their presence is a major attraction for visitors to the nature reserve. Hippos occurred naturally in areas like Zeekoevlei, but had all been poached by the early 1700s. The species is presently listed internationally as vulnerable to extinction, with large numbers having been hunted in Africa during the past few decades.
Members of the public should please report any sightings to the False Bay Nature Reserve on 021 396 4281 during office hours and related after-hours emergencies to 083 499 1717.
False Bay Nature Reserve is one of over 30 nature reserves and natural areas managed by the City of Cape Town. For more information on the City’s nature reserves, please visit www.capetown.gov.za/naturereserves.
