Hippo hangs loose in Huelva

RESIDENTS of Palos de la Frontera in Huelva province, previously renowned as the place from which Christopher Columbus set sail in 1492, were left rubbing their eyes in disbelief on Wednesday, May 4 as an adult hippopotamus roamed neighbourhood streets.

The animal apparently escaped from a circus currently based in the municipality and decided to go on a wander through the town centre, presumably in search of food or water.

Hippos are considered to be more dangerous than lions or tigers, but that did not deter locals, who rushed to take photos and video of the enormous beast, which soon found their way onto social networks.

It remains unclear how the hippo managed to liberate itself, but circus staff, aided by local police, were soon at the scene and managed to return it to its enclosure before any serious damage was done.