WATCH: Hippo roams Cape Town streets after escaping reserve

Lester Kiewit speaks to Belinda Abraham (a spokesperson for the Cape of Good Hope SPCA) about the hippo that roamed Grassy Park this weekend. 

A hippo was on the loose in Grassy Park, Cape Town on Sunday (14 April). 

The large mammal has since been herded back to Rondevlei Nature Reserve after Grassy Park SAPS alerted the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.

Abraham says the young bull most likely found himself out on the streets after an altercation with an older bull from his herd. 

"Seems like the young bull got into an altercation with an older bull in which case he might have been pushed out and told to go look for his own body of water. Fortunately, he's back in the reserve; no harm done."

- Belinda Abraham, Spokesperson - Cape of Good Hope SPCA

"A lot of residents were fascinated that there was a hippopotamus walking around in the Grassy Park area early hours of the morning. It actually delighted more people than terrifying them."

- Belinda Abraham, Spokesperson - Cape of Good Hope SPCA

Watch the grazing hippo adventure through Grassy Park:

If such a thing ever happens again, 'keep a healthy distance', warns Abraham. The hippopotamus is an aggressive animal; the deadliest large land mammal on the planet. 

"They are responsible for more human fatalities in Africa than any other large mammal. They are quite territorial and have very poor eyesight so they could attack simply out of confusion. They are quick on land and will definitely outrun you. So, they are quite dangerous, so it's best to keep your distance. Call the authorities and let us take care of it."

- Belinda Abraham, Cape of Good Hope SPCA - Spokesperson

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.