"You can take her out of the bush but you can't take the bush out of her." Tonie Joubert
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| She is a wild animal, you must respect that. |
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| Jessica being hand fed!! |
She became almost like a daughter to he and his wife Shirley. Turning out to be a very lovable and an intelligent creature. She could even use a door handle to open their front door (though it usually ended up broken just like many other items in the Joubert household).
Enjoying a night time massage and an abundance of sweet potatoes, she is definitely spoilt in comparison to the wild hippos who have to make do with a diet of grass.
Hippos are known for grazing during the night and being submerged or swimming in the rivers during the day. Jessica's rountine was different to the natural habits of wild hippos as she slept at night rather then grazed.
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| Night time slumber with one of the pack. |
This young (rather large) hippo found solace being in a pack of dogs rather then a herd of hippos. The Jouberts have a pack of 8or9 bull terriers. At one point in the programme I had to hold my breath as they introduced Jessica to the new puppies. You thought she was going to eat the poor thing but she was simply licking it with her seal of approval. A very scary moment for any dog lover.
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| Result of a Welcome From Jessica |
Being attacked by a pregnant female when she was younger left her scared of other hippos, so relying on the help of a 10 year old male Charlie, who had taken up a batchelor residence close by, they were attempting to socialize her - risky but necessary.
Unfortunately Charlie was caught eating a local farmers crops and instead of game wardens being called to try and round him up to direct him back from where he came he was simply shot. This was a sad moment as he'd already been given a second chance by Tonie before-on finding a younger Charlie trapped in a cement reservior he was called to put him down but instead Tonie saved his life. This sad end meant Jessica's rehabilitation was put on hold.
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| Up Close and Personal |
Their hope for Jessica is that one day she will be socialized and have her own calf to raise and to not end up with the same fate as poor Charlie, but for now she is enjoying the sweet life.
Read more about Jesica and how you can help:
Video of Jessica:
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