https://youtu.be/57vrqCENNPc
One of my favorite Christmas hits.

Hippos are the most docile animals in the wild.

The incredible number of very close encounters we have had with them too many tomention.

I’d disagree, Saeed.

If they know you are there, and you are in their space, they can get very aggressive.

However, if they are in the water, they are relatively approachable, but still require some common sense.

Lots of local women get killed by them getting water.

As you say elsewhere... common sense is rare... but if you use it, hippo are relatively benign as far as big animals go.

Just my opinion.

They can be a true dangerous hunt on dry land in their tunnels if you get between them and water.

In certain parts of the Selous, hippos like to sleep in the forest by the rivers.

We have, on numerous times, surprised sleeping hippos by almost running over them.

In some instances, we do not see or know of each others existence e until we almost on top of them.

Luckily, non has ever attacked.

quote:

Originally posted by crbutler:
I’d disagree, Saeed.

If they know you are there, and you are in their space, they can get very aggressive.

However, if they are in the water, they are relatively approachable, but still require some common sense.

Lots of local women get killed by them getting water.

As you say elsewhere... common sense is rare... but if you use it, hippo are relatively benign as far as big animals go.

Just my opinion.

They can be a true dangerous hunt on dry land in their tunnels if you get between them and water.

Hippo in water are not normally aggressive as they are in their element and feel safe unless the "water" is a pond or waterhole where the animal is faced with safety restrictions.

Even in a large expanse of water one may occasionally come across a "rogue" that will make no bones about charging (mostly mock) either the person on land or passing boat, canoe.

The main danger, as already indicated, is when the pachyderms are heading back to water following their defined routes from which they will not diverge and if you happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time you are in deep shit and yes, village women and children are the main victims.

Hippos will often seek the shade and cool temperatures of the riverine thickets after a night out foraging, or in the heat of the day, only returning to water to re-hydrate.
Bumping into them in the thickets mainly results in a mad scramble by all concerned and an aggressive confrontation will only materialize if you meet face to face at relatively close quarters where the hippo is left without much choice.

Isn't it to never be between a hippo and water the logical thing to do.