Holidaymakers face ban for provoking hippo charge in St Lucia

VIRAL VIDEO

- MONISHKA GOVENDER

A GROUP of holidaymakers could face a permanent ban from St Lucia after they provoked a hippo in the town’s Pelican Street.

The distressed animal charged at the holidaymakers, who were lucky to escape with only “scrapes and bruises”.

Following the incident, iSimangaliso Wetland Park issued a warning about wildlife safety and the importance of respecting animals in their natural habitat.

The group are being investigated by the Park after a video of the incident went viral on social media. In the video, the holidaymakers are seen provoking the hippo, which was making its way down the street to a nearby watering hole.

Bystanders could be heard saying “that thing is going to charge” and “they are not listening”.

Seconds later, the clearly distressed hippo is seen charging at the three people in its path. One person was knocked to the ground by the animal.