We came across this sighting with Outlook Safaris in the Kruger Park, of lions killing a hippo and a calf. Unfortunately, during times of drought there is a lot of pressure on nature.
In this instance the hippo cow and her calf were likely forced to move when the water they called home dried up. The cow seemed tired and had likely spent quite a lot of time covering a big distance to locate an alternative water source.
Although hippos are formidable and dangerous, not having water to flee into when there is danger does leave them vulnerable.
That hippo is standing there watching his mother get eaten alive. I know they’re just animals but he clearly knows what’s going on. He even tries to scare them off and then he comforts his mother.
Something is wrong with that hippo. The lions sensed it. I know because I’ve seen hippos in the wild and NO animal messes with them. They charge, stomp, and gore crocodiles! They kill any animal, save elephants. These lions saw a weakness.
