MUMBAI: Animal Planet has commissioned Oxford Scientific Films to produce an hour-long documentary about a former game warden and his family who rescue and raise a baby hippopotamus.

Jessica the Hippo is being produced in South Africa and will premiere on Animal Planet in different countries next year.

It tells the story of how the Joubert family in South Africas Limpopo province discover and raise a baby hippo that was found washed up on the banks of a river near their farm.

Animal Planet International acting GM and VP of creative and development Peach Gibson says, By telling this remarkable story, we are bringing our viewers closer to the drama and danger that young animals experience every day in the wild and also illustrating the extraordinary bond that is possible between humans and animals. This story has captured the imagination of people throughout South Africa and will make a remarkable documentary.