Entebbe — A herd of migrant hippopotamus is now the newest attraction at Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC), formerly Entebbe Zoo.

UWEC spokesperson Ms Janet Ssenyonga said visitors to the Centre enjoy watching the hippos at a close range as they submerge, resurface and open their mouth to almost four feet wide.

She said these hippos could be female who periodically separate from the male herd to protect the young ones from being trampled upon by the male.

Ssenyonga said these animals usually relocated to the Centre in October but this time they came early and might stay longer.

"At night they roam and graze freely at UWEC beach, National Water and Sewage Corporation's water pumping station and the Geological Department," she said.

However, boat rides at UWEC have been suspended for fear of attacks from the usually fierce female hippos.

"Female hippos are quick tempered and violent if they see any boat on water they will attack it to protect their calves," Ssenyonga said.