In the natural world, perhaps only the hippopotamus has the strength to face a pride of lions.
A striking moment of nature was captured by a visitor at the Kruger National Park (South Africa), showing a hippopotamus surrounded and attacked by a group of lions.
The hippopotamus fiercely defends itself against five lions (Video: Latest Sightings).
Barry Smith, the person who filmed the clip, shared that he and his friends followed the pride of lions and waited for weeks to witness and capture such a scene.
The events unfolded when the lions approached the Sabie River to drink water. Suddenly, a hippopotamus emerged from the river.
Known for their strong territorial instincts, the hippopotamus immediately moved towards the aggressive lions to ward them off.
The first two lions dared not take the risk and quickly retreated. However, the remaining five quickly established a “surround” tactic, as if it were a pre-scripted scenario.
In this situation, one lion acted as a distraction while the others attempted to attack from behind. The hippopotamus was equally fierce, ready to snap its jaws to catch any unfortunate victim.
The clash between the hippopotamus and the lions created a dramatic scene that captivated onlookers.
However, as the lions became more composed and awaited their opportunity, the hippopotamus started to panic. The situation was worsening for it.
When the hippopotamus could no longer keep pace with the lions, the predators closed in on victory. One lion even came perilously close to jumping onto the hippopotamus’s back, claws at the ready.
The hippopotamus and the lions created a dramatic clash.
Realizing it might be in danger, the hippopotamus decided to turn around and run straight into the river a few meters away. This was perhaps the wisest decision it could make, as it kept itself safe from the experienced hunters.
Despite their large and hefty appearance, hippopotamuses are surprisingly agile and are among the most fearsome animals on the African savanna.
Hippopotamuses are also responsible for more human deaths than any other animal in the world, surpassing venomous snakes, sharks, leopards, or lions. On average, hippos cause about 500 deaths each year in Africa, the region with the largest number of wild hippos.
However, the population of hippos is declining due to habitat changes and climate change. They are now listed as a vulnerable species in need of conservation. The International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates that there are currently about 125,000 to 150,000 hippos remaining in the wild.
