Hippos Are Jerks Check This Video Out And See Why 

Most of you will have probably heard one or two stories about a hippo coming to the assistance of other species in danger. Whilst there is some casual evidence that hippos can behave altruistically, the real truth is that these massive herbivores are in fact giant jerks. If you don’t believe that, then check this chap out. Carolyn Wridgway was on Safari in South Africa’s Kruger National Park recently and came across the following scene.

Chance encounter with a pack of wild dogs

Ms Wridgway and her family chanced upon a pack of dogs who had managed to chase a kudo into a dam. Packs of wild dogs usually use this technique to corner prey when they are hunting. Suddenly a hippo entered the picture, Ms Wridgway captured the whole incident on film and said her eight-year-old grand-daughter who was also innocently watching the events unfold thought the hero was actually a hero. Unfortunately for the kudo that couldn’t have been further from the truth.

The hippo was no saviour

The hippo was not on a rescue mission. Anyone who knows a little about hippos will know they are fiercely territorial and will not hesitate to chomp down on anything entering their space in the water. The hippo skewers the frightened antelope in the murky depths of the water and then drags the now dead kudo to the shore where it then engages the pack of wild dogs in a tug-of-war for the carcass. Eventually the hippo gives up and the pack of wild dogs make quick work of their meal.

Very rare event

Ms Wridgway says she and her family had never witnessed a kill take place so for them it was a very rare event and when you add the fact that it was a hippo who did the deed, the event is much rarer. This is not the first time a hippo has been caught on camera viciously defending its territory. A few years ago, a wildlife photographer was able to capture a couple of territorial hippos chomping at some impalas that had fled into the water also trying to escape a pack of wild dogs on the hunt.