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Angry Hippo Attacks Safari Vehicle in Botswana And Wildlife Photographers Capture It On Video
Andrea PowellThe area is home to some of the world's most endangered species like white rhinos as well as other large mammals. People come from all over the world to see the elephants, giraffes, hippos, and many more.
It is a dream location for wildlife photographers. Bill and Linda headed out on safari and were mesmerized by their surroundings and the magnificent animals.
Photo: Pixabay/Michael SiebertOne day after lunch, they encountered a lone hippo in a water hole "doing what Hippos do". The male hippo continued to splash around in the water but kept a watchful eye on his audience. "We speculated that he was kicked out of the larger nearby pod due to bad behavior, and boy was that right," wrote Bill.
Things quickly turned dangerous when the hippo charged the vehicle.
The group at first thought it might be a "mock charge" which animals often do in the wild, but this was not. The hippo came barreling toward the vehicle as the guide rushed to start the engine and exit the area.
Bill shared the frightening experience on YouTube with a video as proof. He said, "As the Hippo got closer our guide started the car, revved the engine, and attempted to go in reverse. It was too late; he rose up, mouth wide open then clamped down on the front passenger side door, preventing the car from moving and us from escaping."
He went on to explain, "Hippos can open their mouth 150 degrees stretching up to 4 feet and as he bit down on the front passenger side door multiple times his upper canines started to splinter the wooden frame on the door, while his lower incisors and canines ripped a gash in the door."
After the third bite, the hippo retreated with the only injury being to the vehicle. The guide wasted no time in leaving the water hole.
Bill and Linda couldn't resist capturing the "exhilirating" moment and continued to film and take photos during the attack. "I was sitting less 3-4 feet away in the seat behind the impact, firing away capturing 49 frames of the action with my wide-angle lens while my wife Linda was behind me shooting video on her iPhone." He said that when things get wild he told his wife to keep the camera rolling.
He shared why he thought the hippo attacked. "Upon review of the images, it appears the Hippo might have been blind in one eye and maybe thought we were another Hippo trying to attack him, as he might have experienced in the past."
Hippos are the third largest mammals on Earth but can run at speeds 19-28 mph. They are territorial and it is best to keep your distance.
"You always hear about how powerful a Hippo can be, but one really doesn’t have a clue until a 7,000-10,000 pound animal crashes into and attacks your car." The couple can't wait to see what they encounter next.
Be sure to follow Bill and Linda on Facebook and YouTube for more thrilling wildlife photos and videos.
Check out the hippo video below.
