The struggling wildebeest was close to drowning when hippos decided to stake their territory.
Watering holes are hotspots for dramatic wildlife encounters, and a recent video from South Africa’s Kruger National Park is no exception.
While exploring the park, a couple witnessed a wildebeest being attacked by a crocodile—likely ambushed while trying to drink. The crocodile clamped down on the animal’s leg, initiating a brutal struggle that lasted nearly eight minutes. As the exhausted wildebeest began to succumb, the crocodile started dragging it underwater—where it had the upper hand.
Then, two hippos appeared and suddenly charged the crocodile, forcing it to release its grip. The wildebeest escaped, though it appeared to have a broken leg and may not survive.
Did the hippos intervene to save the wildebeest? Probably not, says Douglas McCauley, a National Geographic explorer and professor at UC Santa Barbara. Despite being herbivores, hippos are notoriously aggressive. In fact, one recently killed a lion in Kenya.
McCauley suggests two possible reasons for the hippos’ behavior. One: the crocodile ventured too close to their territory. Hippos and crocodiles often share watering holes but keep their distance. If a croc gets within about two meters, hippos may attack.
More likely, McCauley says, the wildebeest’s splashing triggered the hippos’ territorial instincts. “They’ll charge anything that enters the water,” he explained.
So while it may look like a rescue, the hippos were probably just defending their turf. Still, the video offers a fascinating glimpse into how wild animals interact and share space.
Hippos Interrupt Crocodile Attack at Kruger National Park
