Africa’s most dangerous animal has been spotted once again in Bushy Park’s boating pond, a year after it was first sighted.
FROM 2015: Hippo spotted in Teddington's Bushy Park
The Bushy Park Hippo was revealed by this newspaper to be a cleverly disguised remote-controlled boat rather than a two-tonne Sub-Saharan beast after images of the creature sent shockwaves through the community last November.
FROM 2015: Teddington's Bushy Park Hippo: MYSTERY SOLVED
Professional model-maker Iain Darby built the hippo frame himself about three years ago and said he found the press coverage of his creation very amusing.
Mr Darby, who lives in Sunbury and often visits the park’s boating pond, said: “It was very funny really.
“We always get people commenting on the hippo when it’s down there.
“A lot of people are concerned it might frighten the ducks but they don’t care, they know it’s just a model boat underneath.”
Mr Darby said he and his friend have a number of different models they use on the water.
He said: “My friend had a crocodile head first, then I built the hippo.
“He has a shark’s head, a diver’s head and all sorts of things.”
Other creations include a shark and a diver
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