SEA COW LAKE BIRTHPLACE OF HUBERTA?

Huberta was seen in the Blue Lagoon at the Umgeni River mouth.

A Mr. A Townsend a Natal sugar planter in 1931 believed that Huberta was looking for her birthplace Sea Cow Lake, which had silted up and a settlement was made there by Indians.  He said that in 1896 he and his brother bought land adjoining Sea Cow Lake and planted sugar.   At that time a big herd of hippo's roamed the area.   The herd caused damage to the crops.  Mr Townsend said the hippo was a dainty eater, and ate only the most tender shoots.

Well let us hear what Huberta has to say about this theory?

"Ridiculous, I was not born in Sea Cow Lake.  Mr Townsend

failed to tell you that they shot some of my ancestors.  A young bull, an old cow and the leader of the herd, an old bull which is now in the Durban museum.  A naturalist said he was 140 years old!  Now that was wanton killing."

While Huberta was in this area it was reported that she charged young Leslie Carter and bit him.  He was admitted to hospital with torn leg muscles and a variety of cuts and bruises. Conservationists pleaded for Huberta's protection and two policemen were assigned to watch over Huberta and stop frightening her.  Huberta was often the target of sticks and stones, trying to lure her out of her hiding place.

At that time the Natal Provincial Council received suggestions

that Huberta, who was now near Springfield in Durban, should

be destroyed.   The council refused and suggested capturing

her for a zoo.  Johannesburg and Bloemfontein were bidders

without success.

"Now you know why I trampled the policeman's hat."