Talk about eating you out of house and home—for a vegetarian animal she's got one impressive set of choppers (apparently used for fighting).

Posted by: Mike Quinoa | October 17, 2007 11:17 AM

That is amazing! I don't like when the hippo accidentally steps on the dog's paw though. It could easily kill those dogs and people if it felt like it. I love how the lady says she sees her as her daughter. lol cute.

Posted by: Tracy | October 17, 2007 11:21 AM

What a sweet gentle giant, not the man killer they so long bin labelled. But like us they too have different personalities. Thanks for sharing the clip!

Posted by: Carla | October 17, 2007 12:22 PM

That is such a heart warming story...Thank you for putting it up.

Posted by: Cheryl | October 17, 2007 03:13 PM

That is amazing! If you aren't aware of it, you should also check out the aspen valley wildlife santuary. It's a similar story from here in Ontario about a woman (Audrey Tournay) who takes in Beavers and skunks and lions etc. She wrote a book a few years ago called BEAVER TALES, which is a fantastic read. here's a link to their site:

http://www.aspenvalleywildlifesanctuary.com/Default.htm

Thanks for that video, I'm definetly going to share it with as many people as I can.

Peace.

Posted by: Hitchjr | October 17, 2007 03:46 PM

That is a-mazing! I can't believe that is really a hippo!! Wow!

Posted by: Gen | October 17, 2007 05:28 PM

How adorable is that?!

Posted by: Marianne | October 17, 2007 06:13 PM

Oh my gosh, that is so incredible, animals are so wonderful, she is so cute, I just can not get over this video.

Posted by: Cyndi | October 17, 2007 07:32 PM

thats fucking awesome!

Posted by: josh | October 18, 2007 10:06 AM

Thanks Jack!

After drying my eyes from reading the comment about animals skinned alive and spacing out in filthy cages re: the anti-fur demo, this really picked up my spirits. Thanks to all the real animal lovers!

Posted by: STacy P | October 18, 2007 08:24 PM

All animals should be so lucky.

Posted by: Ruthie | October 19, 2007 01:38 PM

that was great! i want a hippo!

Posted by: laura | October 19, 2007 03:30 PM

Not all animals are wonderful. Nontheless, cool vid.

Posted by: halo snipe | October 21, 2007 11:01 PM

YOU DONT WANT A HIPPO!

Posted by: Mr. Chief | October 23, 2007 10:03 PM

That has got to be THE most amazing video I have ever seen! She is absolutely adorable and so cute when she snuggles up together with the dog to go to sleep!

Posted by: Bec | October 30, 2007 06:07 PM

As cute as that is, let's all remember that this is NOT the norm. Taking wild animals into your house is NOT good for them, or you. No one should take an animal out of it's enviornment like this. Cute how it likes the dogs though.

Posted by: D.J. | November 17, 2007 08:27 AM

There's a special about this story on Animal Planet called "Jessica the Hippo."
More of the story!!!

Posted by: JDamian Anastasio | November 24, 2007 08:22 PM

Jessica is a very special being. She is free to be in the wild if she chooses. She loves her family and protects them. Other hippos have been around without showing aggressive behavior. Wild hippss can be dangerous, but they are not the number one killer of people. There are not reliable stats to prove this. Most people that die in hippo attacks drown. Recently four out of five that were knocked from their boat drowned...not because of the hippo..because they did not know how to swim!

Posted by: MM Jessica;s godmother | March 7, 2008 06:51 PM

Learn more about Jessica on her website jessicahippo.com
Join her fan club and get updates on her daily life. Joining the club helps the Jouberts offset some of Jessica's food bill. Thanks

Posted by: MM | March 21, 2008 03:14 PM

Jessica's life is in danger. A neighbor farmer has sent a letter through his lawyer that he intends to file for a permit to shoot Jessica. She has done this man no harm. He is nuts. He already killed Charlie. Charlie was Jessica's first real friend. He had been rescued by Tonie after falling into a pit. Game rangers had asked Tonie to put Charlie down so he would not starve to death. Tonie decided to put down sand bags. This idea worked, and Charlie climed out. Shortly there after he showed up at Tonie' farm, and stayed. He never showed any aggression to the humans, but he was given his space as a wild hippo. Then, boom, he is gone because some guy likes to play with guns.
It has been thought that it might be better for Jessica and her family to relocate to the United States, but I am not sure that is the best idea. It was my first thought when I was told of this situation, but moving Jessica such a long distance might be difficult at best. Any ideas from anyone?

Posted by: munchyrue | April 27, 2008 08:47 PM