Hippopotamus Found Wandering In Streets of Columbus

Residents of the Linden neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio were awakened early Wednesday morning by strange sights and sounds. What was initially thought to be a group of juveniles playing games on the street was later identified as a hippopotamus!

"I just couldn't believe it," said local resident Peggy Bull. "I've never seen anything like that here before."

The 1,500 lb. hippo was reportedly sighted several times throughout the morning before finally being corralled into a backyard by police officers. Authorities believe that the animal escaped from a nearby zoo or wildlife refuge.

"This could have been a real disaster," said Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs. "We're just lucky that nobody was hurt."

The hippo has since been tranquilized and relocated to an undisclosed location. zoo officials say they are investigating how the animal managed to escape from its enclosure.

Breaking: Hippo On The Loose in Ohio City

Residents of Columbus, Ohio were sent into a frenzy Wednesday morning when it was discovered that a hippopotamus had escaped from the city's zoo.

The incident began at approximately 6am when a security guard noticed that one of the fences surrounding the zoo's hippo enclosure had been cut. Officials believe that the hippo, a three-year-old female named Hazel, escaped through the opening.

Zoo officials immediately began searching for Hazel, and by 8am they had alerted the Columbus police department and asked for their help in finding the missing animal. Columbus residents were urged to be on alert and to not approach Hazel if they saw her.

It is unclear how Hazel was able to escape from the zoo, but officials say that an investigation is underway. In a statement released on Wednesday, zoo director Dale Schmidt said, "We are saddened by this turn of events and grateful for the efforts of our staff and the police department as we work together to find Hazel."

Hazel is considered to be relatively small for a hippopotamus, weighing in at around 2,000 pounds. It is not known what kind of danger she may pose to the public if she is not found soon.

This is not the first time that a zoo animal has gone on the lam. In November of last year, a gorilla named Timothy escaped from his enclosure at the Brookfield Zoo near Chicago. And in March of this year an alligator named Allie broke out of her enclosure at an aquarium in Charleston, South Carolina.

Hippo Goes on Rampage, Injures Three People

A hippopotamus attacked three people on the banks of the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe on Sunday, officials said.

The hippo injured a 57-year-old woman and two men, aged 35 and 45, according to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.

One man was seriously hurt and was airlifted to hospital for treatment, while the other two victims sustained minor injuries.

The authority warned people against going near hippos, which are aggressive animals that can kill with a single bite.

"We are urging members of the public to exercise extreme caution when in close proximity to hippos," Tinashe Farawo, a spokesman for the authority, said in a statement.

A hippopotamus attacked three people on the banks of the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe on Sunday, officials said. The hippo injured a 57-year-old woman and two men, aged 35 and 45, according to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority. One man was seriously hurt and was airlifted to hospital for treatment, while the other two victims sustained minor injuries. The authority warned people against going near hippos, which are aggressive animals that can kill with a single bite. "We are urging members of the public to exercise extreme caution when in close proximity to hippos," Tinashe Farawo, a spokesman for the authority, said in a statement.

Residents on Alert After Hippo Sighting

On Monday morning, the residents of Mahali Mzuri woke up to a hippopotamus swimming in the Mara River just outside their camp. While hippos are not typically considered dangerous to humans, they can be unpredictable and destructive, so the camp's managers quickly put everyone on alert.

The hippo remained in the river for most of the day, but it eventually moved on, leaving the residents safe for now. However, the incident has raised concerns that there may be more hippos in the area and that people need to be cautious.

Hippos are not common in this part of Africa and it is unclear where this one came from. It is possible that it wandered down from southern Tanzania or even further up from Zambia or Zimbabwe. Whatever the case may be, it is a reminder that wildlife can be unpredictable and dangerous and that people should always be aware of their surroundings.

Experts Say Do Not Approach Hippopotamus If Sighted

If you should happen to come across a hippopotamus in the wild, experts say do not approach it. Hippos are territorial and can be dangerous if they feel threatened.

Hippos are the third largest land mammal in the world, after elephants and rhinoceroses. They can weigh up to two tons and are known for their big teeth and aggressive behavior.

Despite their appearance, hippos are actually herbivores and primarily eat grasses. However, they can also be quite destructive when it comes to crops and other vegetation.

Hippos spend most of the day in water, but they can also be found on land. They are good swimmers and can stay submerged for up to five minutes.

The best way to avoid an encounter with a hippo is to stay away from areas where they are known to live. If you do see one, stay calm and back away slowly. Do not attempt to feed or pet them, as this could lead to an attack.