Hippo interrupts lions' mealtime with surprising results
When this hippo approached a pride of lions in hopes of sharing a meal, no one could have predicted how the strange encounter would end.
On a midday drive through a game reserve in Pilanesberg, field guide Solomzi Radebe noticed a pride of lions gathered at a watering hole, preparing to eat the Tsessebe antelope that they had just hunted successfully.
Solomzi and the passengers in his vehicle sat quietly, observing the pride in its natural habitat. Solomzi tells LatestSightings.com that he was surprised to see a male hippo approached the pride, boldly interrupting their mealtime.
Solomzi believed that the hippo was only passing by, and noted that the lionesses and cubs in the pride were uncomfortable with its presence.
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But the hippo was determined to settle in and share the meal! Solomzi was astounded: "I could hardly believe my eyes when this hippo invaded the pride's meal. I applauded him for his tenacity as he didn't budge an inch and was not intimidated by them at all."
See how the rare encounter unfolded:
Hippos are known to consume a diet consisting mostly of grass, though Solomzi does recall seeing a hippo chewing on a carcass many years ago. In light of this information, the hippo's behaviour is quite unusual. What makes the encounter extraordinary is that the lions did not object to the hippo joining the meal.
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This was a show of neighbourly kindness between the lions and the hippo, and something which Solomzi and the passengers in his vehicle are very lucky to have witnessed.