News24 | Cape Town residents saddened by death of famous ‘first hippo’ Brutus

Brutus spent more than four decades at Rondevlei Nature Reserve in Cape Town and played a role in curbing invasive alien vegetation.

• Brutus, who was the first hippo to be reintroduced to the Western Cape in 300 years four decades ago, was found dead at Rondevlei Nature Reserve.
• Brutus and his pod played a crucial role in maintaining wetland biodiversity by curbing invasive vegetation and supporting the ecosystem.
• Cape Town residents flooded social media with heartfelt tributes, sharing fond memories of Brutus’ release in 1981 and enduring impact on the community.

Cape Town residents are mourning the city’s “first hippo”, Brutus, after the 47-year-old bull was found dead at Rondevlei Nature Reserve during routine patrols last week.

Residents took to social media to share their memories and first encounters with Brutus, who died on Thursday, 13 November, of what appears to be natural age-related causes.

Brutus was rescued in KwaZulu-Natal when he was about three years old before being transported to Rondevlei and released by then-manager Howard Langley.

He was one of two hippos released more than 40 years ago – the first to be reintroduced into the Western Cape in 300 years.

“Brutus was the long-standing dominant male that arrived at Rondevlei in November 1981, and we are sad about not having him around anymore,” said the City of Cape Town’s deputy mayor and mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment, Eddie Andrews.

“After Brutus’ passing, the hippo pod at Rondevlei now consists of five hippos, including one young bull. We will be looking at options to bring in a new male potentially.”

Vital role, alien vegetation

Hippos played a vital role in maintaining biodiversity in the wetland system and were also important educational and tourism assets, said Andrews.

Rondevlei’s hippos have been able to curb the growth of vleigras – an alien grass from South America – and successfully clear reed beds.

READ | Droughts leave hippos 'less social', study finds

They can eat up to 100kg per day and feed on indigenous buffalo grass, vleigras, and kukuyu.

According to the Animal Diversity Web’s website, hippos living in the wild or captivity have an average life expectancy of 55 years.

An autopsy conducted by a veterinarian at the Biodiversity Management Branch found that Brutus’ death was not caused by trauma, injury or an infectious disease. Samples of his DNA have been collected for further testing.

Fond, fear and free

Many social media users have taken to their feeds to share their memories. Jenny Coote shared her fond memories of Brutus’ release in 1981.

Coote said in a Facebook comment on the City of Cape Town’s announcement of Brutus’ death:

“It was very exciting but scary as we had no idea how the hippos would react once released,” she added.

Under the same Facebook post, Theresa Milne wished Brutus well with the words, “Run free forever, Brutus”.

On X, Rob Louw wrote that he was shocked that Brutus was older than him, while the Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park also posted a tribute to Brutus.

“So blessed to have been able to visit you at the zoo, Brutus,” added Kerry Hannigan on Instagram.