Jalisco, Mexico - Bemused locals called Mexican police to track down an escaped hippo seen ambling through the streets, after its "owner" let it escape.

Early last Thursday morning, police in Tlajomulco de Zunigaa in the state of Jalisco were called by concerned people when a hippo was seen roaming around suburban homes.

The man who said he owned the hippo told police the animal strayed off into the streets when he let it out of its cage for a walk in the park.

The hippo was surrounded by officers and coaxed back into its cage. And its owner had the same fate. Officers arrested the man, who didn't have the documentation to prove he was the owner of the wandering hippo.