Hippos are wild animals, very territorial and see almost every other predator as a threat so they tend, if necessary, to be very aggressive and are one of the most dangerous wild animals, with a very effective bite can get as heavy as 2,5ton so forget if you ever want to cuddle one. But no Jessica. She is uniquely the most calm and loving hippo that you can interact with. She listens to her adoptive human parents and also replies to them like a house dog does, they are very intelligent animals, even more that elephants and are wrongly famous for being the animal that kills more people than any other, which there are no facts that document or support this accusation any more than elephants or lions do. It's just a rumor that have grown to common believe. Anyway, don't get close to one, as don't get close to any lions or elephants or any other animal in the wild.

She is world famous and has been a star in numerous documentaries from lots of different countries who try to understand this unique relation Jessica has with humans. You get the chance to feed her, give her some tea and even rub your feet on her back, she loves it, just like a dog or a cat loves getting pet. Unique amazing experience, the closest you'll ever get to a hippo.

And to add even more to that experience, you get to meet Richie, a young hippo that was also found in front of their house on the last floods, and if not saved by these two people, he'd most definitely been eaten by the crocodiles that infest the blyde river. Richie lives and gets along just fine with all other dogs that are part of this house, which is truly amazing to see how different animal species interact with each other if getting used to in young ages.

These two hippos are part of the human family, loved and cared like their own but they are half wild, half used to humans, so they are not properly pets nor can one be 100% that they won't turn their wild side all of a sudden, as you can't also with your own dog. I see some really stupid reviews here but believe me, if you love animals, this is one of the most unique and amazing experiences you'll ever have.