Like a scene from a movie: Hippo chases vehicle on road in Puerto Triunfo, Antioquia

A large hippopotamus suddenly appeared behind a moving vehicle and chased it for several seconds on a rural road in Las Mercedes, a district of Puerto Triunfo in Colombia’s Antioquia department.

A local resident recorded the encounter, and the video spread widely on social media. The animal followed the car for several meters before slowing down and falling behind beside the road. No people were injured, and authorities reported no material damage or harm to the hippo.

The unusual scene nevertheless deepened concern among families who travel through the area every day. Residents of the rural Magdalena Medio region increasingly encounter hippos outside controlled zones, particularly along routes near Puerto Triunfo and Doradal.

Environmental authorities have urged drivers to reduce their speed, remain alert, report sightings immediately and avoid approaching or trying to scare the animals. They warned that direct interaction with the species carries a high level of aggression and extreme risk.

The issue also affects riverside communities. A lawyer in nearby Puerto Nare recently filed a legal protection action seeking urgent measures for 23 children and young students who travel by boat along the Nare River to reach school. The action names the Environment Ministry, Corantioquia, the Puerto Nare mayor’s office and the Antioquia governor’s office, and calls for prompt intervention because a hippo remains present along the route. Official figures and Environment Ministry reports put Colombia’s hippo population at well above 200, with further growth possible without effective containment measures.