Hippos in Africa

Hippos

A hippo yawning.

Hippos are bulky, water loving animals that are native to wild Africa. The name hippopotamus comes from the Ancient Greek word meaning ‘river horse’. They are the third largest land animal after the elephant and rhino, living up to 50 years.

Even though a hippo has short stocky legs and cannot jump, it can outrun a human! They have been recorded running at 30 kph (19 mph). In water they are able to run at 8 kph (5mph). An average human only runs at 8 kph on land.

Hippos are social animals who live in large groups near bodies of water such as swamps, rivers and lakes. They remain cool by relaxing in the water during the day. A sleeping hippo under water can amazingly rise and breathe without waking up. Childbirth, reproduction and fighting also takes place in the water.

Hippos are herbivores, emerging at dusk to graze on grass privately for between four and five hours. They can keep food in their stomachs and go without eating up to 3 weeks.

Hippo relaxing in water.

A hippo must stay moist otherwise its’ skin will crack. They were once believed to sweat blood, but now it is thought that the red secretions are just a fluid used as sunblock.

They might look cute being fat, with tiny ears on top of their head but watch out for hippos as they are ranked as one of the most dangerous animals in Africa. They are known for their aggression and unpredictability.

 About Jessica the much loved hippo

On the 11 March 2000, a baby hippo was found on the banks of the Blyde River. She was only just a few hours old, with her umbilical cord still attached. 

Jessica the hippo.

Jessica is far from an ordinary hippo. She loves to interact with people, often appears to be smiling, is gentle and has never shown any signs of aggression. Jessica lives in a reservoir found in Limpopo, and is free to visit the neighbouring wild hippos. She shares her home with another cute orphan hippo, Richie, who is 2 years old.

You can visit Jessica the world famous hippo on an Epic Enabled tour to Kruger National Park.

Worlds first woman with Down Syndrome to walk the ramp

Jamie Brewer

Jamie Brewer on the catwalk at
New York Fashion Week

Born in California 30 years ago with Down syndrome was Jamie Brewer. She was the world’s first woman with Down syndrome to stride down the catwalk at New York Fashion Week this past Thursday.  She modelled designer Carrie Hammers’ clothes for the project titled ‘Role models not Runway models’, which invites inspirational and powerful women to walk the ramp.

Jamie is very active in the Down syndrome community and is an inspiration to many. She is involved with many different non-profit organizations trying to make a difference in the lives of others.

She took an interest to all sorts of arts such as movies and theatre. This steered her to start taking acting classes in 1999. Jamie has performed in dramas, musicals and comedies during her theatre training.

American Horror Story

Rose Siggins who often
uses her skateboard

Jamie was first known for her roles of various interesting characters in the dark series American Horror Story. A series which is often scary and gruesome, with lots of twists and turns throughout. Not for the faint-hearted. The last season of American Horror Story produced by Ryan Murphy was based on ‘freak’ shows that were most popular back in the 1800s in America.

The show had characters played by actors with real disabilities/ deformities. To name a few, there was the Indian actress Jyoti Amge who is the world’s shortest woman standing at 29 inches, Mat Fraser, a confident actor, who was born with undeveloped arms, Rose Siggins who has no legs and Erika Ervin a transgender woman with gigantism, who is 7 feet tall. The characters are based on real people from the past.

Jamie Brewer along with her co-stars are a true inspiration to all people, who have disabilities or not.