Hippo Relocates to Plet

The City of Cape Town’s Biodiversity Management branch has successfully relocated a hippo bull from the False Bay Nature Reserve to a reserve in Plettenberg Bay. This 17-hour-long operation required a boma, a crane, a flatbed truck, highly experienced staff, expert veterinarian services, a lot of patience and months of planning.

The four-year-old hippo bull safely arrived at the Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve at around 08:30, 23 July 2025.

‘The staff from the False Bay Nature Reserve and other technical staff who assisted with the building of the container and the capturing, are extremely grateful for the successful translocation. Hippos are very sensitive animals, and notoriously difficult to capture and transport because of their size, strength, potentially dangerous nature and sensitivity to stress. These types of operations are fraught with risks such as capture stress and overheating, cold stress during winter, injury, and logistical challenges. Of course, the staff involved are also at risk, and this is where experience and professionalism count the most.

‘I was told that our team planned this translocation over many months, inclusive of finalising the legal agreements, permits, appropriate transport and specialist equipment. The success is a result of meticulous planning, collaboration with external partners, and using appropriate capture and transport methods. I commend our dedicated, professional and experienced staff from the Biodiversity Management branch. Capetonians are really privileged to have you as custodians of our precious natural environment,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.

The hippo was relocated to prevent potential conflict with other males in the reserve. There was also the potential of the hippo dispersing into surrounding areas, risking nearby communities and himself.

‘The Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve provides a suitable and secure habitat for hippos with adequate space, water resources, and an existing hippo population where he can fit in,’ said Alderman Andrews.

Details about the translocation:

• The hippo was captured using a combination of a specially designed capture boma and transport crate, and wildlife veterinary tranquilisation to ensure the animal’s safety and to minimise stress
• He was captured at around 16:00 on 22 July 2025, and the operation carried on into the night to align with cooler and safer overnight transport to the game reserve
• A crane was used to load the container onto a flatbed truck, which departed at around 22:45 and arrived at the Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve at 08:30 yesterday morning. The journey was smooth
• Since his arrival, the hippo has been spending his time in a separate dam where he is closely monitored to allow him to acclimatise and gradually integrate into the resident hippo pod

The City has, over the past 10 years or so, successfully translocated three hippos as part of our ongoing wildlife management efforts.

‘The translocation demonstrates the City’s commitment to wildlife management and biodiversity conservation, ensuring both animal welfare and public safety,’ said Alderman Andrews.