Jessica the Hippo
Her story began in March of 2000 when the combined Blyde and Olifants Rivers flooded and swept the newly born calf away from her mother. Fortunately, Jessica happened to end up on the property of Tonie and Shirley Joubert who, realising she was only a few hours old, took her in and created a milk formula to help her regain strength. From then, Jessica was a part of the family and even became friends with the couples’ dogs. As she wouldn’t survive on her own in the wild, she stayed with her ‘parents’ Tonie and Shirley.