Respect those who wish to be respected!
Who among us does not admire the lion, the majestic and courageous apex predator, undefeated in the wild?
The hippopotamus is a large animal living in Africa
Throughout human history, lions have been regarded as symbols of strength. We often say “strong as a lion.” Westerners refer to a person with a conscience as having a “lion’s heart.” Many royal families across the world have depicted lions on their coats of arms and flags to symbolize their power. Lions are revered as the kings of the jungle, not just because no animal can defeat them, but due to the terror they have instilled in both humans and other animals. Ancient Egyptians considered lions to be sacred creatures.
However, in the video below, an animal with a somewhat “clumsy” appearance manages to confront and even force a pride of lions to submit to its strength.
The clip was filmed by David Attenborough in the Okavango Delta of Botswana, a landlocked country in Southern Africa.
Source: BBC Earth.
The main character in the clip is an old hippopotamus, battle-scarred and weary, walking slowly along a dirt path.
The hippopotamus is a massive animal native to Africa. The term “hippopotamus” comes from Greek, meaning “river horse”, referring to this amphibious creature that can live both on land and in water.
Hippopotamuses are among the largest land mammals, ranking third after elephants and white rhinoceroses.
Contrary to their often endearing portrayal in films, hippopotamuses are not gentle giants; they are extremely aggressive and hard to approach.
Particularly, these large creatures become highly dangerous if they perceive an intruder encroaching on their territory.
With a body length of 3 to 5 meters, standing nearly 2 meters tall at the shoulder, and weighing over 4,000 kg, a hippopotamus can “eliminate” nearly any animal without needing to be provoked.
At the time of filming, the hippopotamus was facing a significant challenge: thirst after days of scorching sunlight, which not only raised temperatures but also evaporated water sources. It had to travel a long distance to find the rare remaining water supply.
In the wild, a deep waterhole can be a trap for any thirsty animal. This location is a gathering point for all species, and naturally, it is controlled by the apex predator—the lion.
An angry hippopotamus with “bloodshot” eyes obstructed.
A single lion would not be able to take down a hippopotamus, but a pride of lions could attempt to do so. Upon spotting the intruder, the pride quickly organized to “welcome” it.
However, at that moment, the hippopotamus was “on the brink of death” from thirst. It did not care about facing any enemies. Anyone who blocked its path would face dire consequences, even if that was a lion. From being bullied, the hippopotamus charged forward, taking control of the situation. Its fierce presence completely overshadowed the pride of lions, forcing them to share the water source.
In the end, the hippopotamus quenched its thirst and bathed, all while being watched in “admiration” by the surrounding wildlife.
