His name is Obi, which means “heart” in the Nigerian Igbo language. At 3 weeks old, Obi weighs about 30 pounds. Before swimming in the big pool, he spent time learning to swim in a smaller pool — all with his mother Petre keeping a watchful eye.

More popular and trending stories

Watching him play, it's hard to believe that hippos are the most dangerous mammals to humans in Africa, but it's true.

The unpredictable giants kill around 3,000 people were year.

About the Author

Featured

Atlanta art and antiques appraiser and auctioneer Allan Baitcher (right) takes bids during a 2020 auction. Baitcher and his company, Peachtree Antiques, are being sued by a Florida multimillionaire who says he paid them $20 million for fakes. (AJC 2020)

Credit: Phil Skinner / Staff