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IT’S 1928 in South Africa and the country is celebrating its first thermal power station and the opening of Ellis Park stadium, among others.
But it’s also the year another story dominated headlines – the Great Trek of Huberta the hippo from northern KZN to the Eastern Cape.
For reasons unknown, Huberta – initially named Billy and Hubert by the press – left her spot on the St Lucia estuary in November 1928 and headed south.
It took her three years to complete her 1 600km journey to East London, during which time she became a national – and international – icon and treasure, attracting much attention from both the media and the public wherever she went.
The then Natal Mercury was the first publication to cover Huberta’s story as she made her way into – and through – their coverage area.
Included in Huberta’s pit stops were the Mhlanga Lagoon, Durban’s beaches and country club, the Mgeni river where she was revered by the local communities, as well as various KZN south coast destinations and the Nahoon river near East London.
While in uMhlanga, an attempt was made to capture Huberta to send her to Johannesburg Zoo, to no avail.
Despite being dubbed South Africa’s ‘national pet’, Huberta’s journey was not an easy one, as stones, bottles and sticks were reportedly hurled at her on numerous occasions by onlookers trying to entice her out of her various hiding places.
She eventually reached East London in March 1931 where, although declared protected royal game by the then Natal Provincial Council, Huberta was shot and killed by farmers just one month later.
On 23 April 1931, her carcass was found floating in the Keiskamma river, 30km from King William’s Town.
Public outcry
The public enraged, the fatal shooting of Huberta was discussed in Parliament and the police were instructed to investigate.
Four farmers were found guilty of killing protected royal game, and each fined GBP25.
South Africa went into mourning over the loss of their ‘national pet’ and local celebrity, with flags flown at half-mast in Verulam, while the people of Pietermaritzburg sent a beautiful floral wreath in memory of Huberta.
Her body was sent to a taxidermist in London, where she was mounted.
Posthumous travel
But the journey of this iconic travelling hippo did not end there. On her return to South Africa, the mounted Huberta was displayed at the Durban Museum where she attracted 20 381 visitors between 12 January and 17 February 1932.
She was also put on display at the 1932 Rand Easter Show, after which she was transported to the Amathole Museum in King William’s Town in the Eastern Cape, where she remains to this day.
Almost 100 years later, Huberta’s ramblings still capture the hearts and imaginations of many; her story inspiring poetry, music and myth.
But it’s also the year another story dominated headlines – the Great Trek of Huberta the hippo from northern KZN to the Eastern Cape.
For reasons unknown, Huberta – initially named Billy and Hubert by the press – left her spot on the St Lucia estuary in November 1928 and headed south.
It took her three years to complete her 1 600km journey to East London, during which time she became a national – and international – icon and treasure, attracting much attention from both the media and the public wherever she went.
The then Natal Mercury was the first publication to cover Huberta’s story as she made her way into – and through – their coverage area.
Included in Huberta’s pit stops were the Mhlanga Lagoon, Durban’s beaches and country club, the Mgeni river where she was revered by the local communities, as well as various KZN south coast destinations and the Nahoon river near East London.
While in uMhlanga, an attempt was made to capture Huberta to send her to Johannesburg Zoo, to no avail.
Despite being dubbed South Africa’s ‘national pet’, Huberta’s journey was not an easy one, as stones, bottles and sticks were reportedly hurled at her on numerous occasions by onlookers trying to entice her out of her various hiding places.
She eventually reached East London in March 1931 where, although declared protected royal game by the then Natal Provincial Council, Huberta was shot and killed by farmers just one month later.
On 23 April 1931, her carcass was found floating in the Keiskamma river, 30km from King William’s Town.
Public outcry
The public enraged, the fatal shooting of Huberta was discussed in Parliament and the police were instructed to investigate.
Four farmers were found guilty of killing protected royal game, and each fined GBP25.
South Africa went into mourning over the loss of their ‘national pet’ and local celebrity, with flags flown at half-mast in Verulam, while the people of Pietermaritzburg sent a beautiful floral wreath in memory of Huberta.
Her body was sent to a taxidermist in London, where she was mounted.
Posthumous travel
But the journey of this iconic travelling hippo did not end there. On her return to South Africa, the mounted Huberta was displayed at the Durban Museum where she attracted 20 381 visitors between 12 January and 17 February 1932.
She was also put on display at the 1932 Rand Easter Show, after which she was transported to the Amathole Museum in King William’s Town in the Eastern Cape, where she remains to this day.
Almost 100 years later, Huberta’s ramblings still capture the hearts and imaginations of many; her story inspiring poetry, music and myth.