Els, an Army major, had raised the 2,600 pound animal and considered Humphrey a part of his family, according to the U. K. 's Guardian. Pics from here A farmer in South Africa has been killed by his pet hippopotamus, after repeated warnings that it was a wild animal that could never be tamed. Did jessica the hippo kill her owner? - Answers Mr. Els meant well, but wild animals are meant to be wild. Marius Els aged 40 from Free State province, South Africa, took Humphrey in as a pet when he was only a calf and thought of the hippo as “like a son”. Marius Els: Man Mauled, Killed by Pet Hippo | Heavy.com disadvantages of beattie's model of health promotion guardian.co.uk/world/... 1 … hippo as a pet on his farm, was killed after Humphrey reportedly dragged him into a river after mauling him. Pet Hippo Kills Owner in South Africa | RTM - RightThisMinute Archived. South African army major and farmer Marius Els, who kept the 2,600 lb. That story announced, “Humphrey the pet hippo kills owner in South Africa.” Thus, the story is true, but it’s old. Jessica the Hippo - sweetest hippo of the world - South Africa