THWACK

LAPD Investigates Video of Man Spanking a Hippo at L.A. Zoo

Zoo asks people to refrain from spanking hippos in the future.

It might sound like it, but this isn’t a euphemism. The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating a video of a man who appeared to spank a hippo at the Los Angeles Zoo. The footage shows the man cautiously approaching the hippopotamus—a 4-year-old named Rosie—before reaching out and slapping her on the buttocks, then running away to dance in jubilation at the feat. The hippo wasn’t injured, so it isn’t being investigated as animal cruelty, but the man may have broken trespassing laws. Zoo officials said in a statement: “The Zoo would like to remind everyone that it is never acceptable for a guest to enter the habitat of any animal at the Zoo, excluding our staff-supervised animal encounters. It is a privilege to observe these rare and endangered species, but they are still wild animals and their space must be respected at all times.” Bear that in mind next time you’re thinking of spanking a hippo.